The Coaldale Fire Company’s third annual Coal Crackin’ Rock the Block had food, music, rides, games, a basket raffle and all sorts of fire apparatus on display this past weekend.

The three-day event was highlighted with an equipment parade on Saturday, which featured about three dozen pieces of apparatus from throughout the region.

The participating apparatus was judged, and trophies were awarded to the winning fire departments.

Coaldale Fire Chief Steve Polischak made the trophy presentations, with one especially having some emotional attachment.

The trophy for the “Best Overall Company” was given to the Tuscarora Fire Department. Justin McCarroll, a lieutenant, and firefighters Mike Strohl and Kaelyn Boran-Smith, all of the Tuscarora fire Company, accepted the trophy.

Polischak said the award was for more than participation in the parade and the weekend block party.

He said that in April, on the same day that an event was being planned to honor Polischak’s late father, Ronald Polischak, a major dwelling fire occurred in Coaldale. Ronald was a former Coaldale Fire Chief and a dedicated member of the department for most of his life.

Steve said that while the Coaldale Fire Company was battling the fire, the volunteers of the Tuscarora Fire Department came to Coaldale and set up for the event honoring the late chief.

Other trophy recipients are:

• Most Functional 750 gallons per minute and up vehicle: 1. Tuscarora, 2. Diligence of Summit Hill.

• 1500 gpm and lower: 1. Bowmanstown Fire Company, 2. East End of Tamaqua.

• Rescue Truck: Franklin Township.

• Tanker: New Ringgold.

• Brush Truck: Walker Township-New England Fire Company.

• Ladder: Washington Hook & Ladder of Mahanoy City.

• Specialty Unit: New Ringgold Fire Company.

• Judges’ Award: Diamond Fire Company of Walnutport.

• KME Unit Year 2000 and older: East End, Palo Alto.

• KME Unit Year 2000 and newer: Citizens Fire Company, Tamaqua.

Live bands performed each evening of the Coal Crackin’ Rock the Block. They were The Legends on Friday, ToolShed Jack on Saturday, Jay Smar on Sunday and Gunslinger, also on Sunday.