Times were tough in the mid-1970s for the Village of Johnstown Fire Department. Former Fire Chief, Johnny Johnson, realized that in order to provide much needed EMS service to the community, he would have to learn the art of fund raising. And quick! Golf outings and bake sales helped, but were not enough. Forty years later, what started out as a local street fair to earn a few dollars has turned into a full-blown old-fashioned festival with true hometown flair.
Looking for a little bit of Americana? You’ll find it on the only brick-lined street in Johnstown at the 40th Annual Firemen’s Festival! Not only can you see four young ladies participating in the Miss Johnstown competition on Saturday, June 20th at 7 p.m. in the Johnstown-Monroe High School Performing Arts Center, you’ll find Games of Chance that fund necessities for the Monroe Township Fire Department and a parade that will feature among other things, the beloved Johnstown High School Big Red Band, 190 members strong.
On Friday evening, don’t miss the Johnstown High School (JHS) band’s highlight performance and the annual Cake Auction, with proceeds that will benefit the band’s 2015 upcoming events.
The Cake Auction festivities start at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 26th with a band performance and the auction beginning at 6:15 p.m. in the park yard. Nearly 70 cakes have been auctioned in years past with accompanying goodies - gift certificates, tickets to sporting events, corn-hole boards and other items of interest. Visitors should bring a folding chair for a comfy spot to view the items as they are presented to the bidders.
Be sure to attend the Saturday, June 27th parade, which starts at noon. The 2015 Grand Marshall for this year’s parade is The Big Red Band. Directed by Joe Carver, The Big Red Band traditionally leads the parade down Main Street and gets the crowd dancing! Look for the Heartland Bank double hitch horse-drawn wagon and a multitude of local businesses, churches and politicians who never fail to excite the on-lookers with freebies, candy and interesting floats.
If you’d like to support some of Johnstown’s charitable organizations while you are enjoying the Firemen’s Festival, stop by to see members of the Lions Club, the American Legion, the JHS Band Boosters and Athletic Boosters, the Boy Scouts, or the JHS Cheerleaders.
The Johnstown Firemen’s Festival is proudly presented by Heartland Bank. Visit our branch manager, Randy Kelly, and his team at the
Johnstown office, 730 West Coshocton Street. Experience what community banking is all about -you’ll be glad you did!
Schedule of Events
Wednesday, June 24
6 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Musical Entertainment – Southern Touch (8 p.m.-11 p.m.)
Thursday, June 25
6 p.m. – Midnight
Musical Entertainment – Sidewinder (8 p.m. – 11 p.m.)
Friday, June 26
6 p.m. – Midnight
Musical Entertainment – The Cool Kidz – Rock and Roll - (8 p.m. -11 p.m.)
Saturday, June 17
Noon – Midnight
Parade - Noon
Musical Entertainment – Marquis (8 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.)
More on the Village of Johnstown
On December 7, 1810, John Brown of Boone County, Kentucky, deeded a four thousand acre tract of land to Oliver Bigelow for $10,000 for $2.50 per acre. Since both Oliver and his brother John held large land claims in the new state of Ohio, they decided to move their families here. In 1811, Oliver Bigelow, a doctor and Revolutionary War veteran, came to the area and made plans to build a town by mapping streets, alleys, a town square and a cemetery. By 1813, he finished laying out the little village and named the town Johnstown. All assume that he named the town after Johnstown, New York, but more than likely he named it after his father and brother, both named John.