Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Co. took home top honors during a recent parade featuring fire companies from across the state.

The company brought home 10 trophies from the 2021 Firefighters’ Association of the State of Pennsylvania convention on Sept. 25, the most of any company that appeared in the parade. They included the top honor, best appearing fire company or department overall. The company was also honored for its marching, its equipment and the marching of its ladies auxiliary.

“This is something to pull the membership together,” said Chief Bruce Berger.

Nineteen fire company members and children of fire company members marched in the parade, and they were joined by members of the Colonial Musketeers junior fife and drum band from Hackettstown, New Jersey. Berger said it’s not uncommon for companies marching in the parade to be joined by a high school or other marching band.

Albrightsville also spent a considerable amount of time preparing their equipment for the event. Berger said that members devoted numerous hours in the weekends leading up to the convention to making sure that the equipment passed the “white glove” inspection of the judges.

In the past, Albrightsville has taken home awards while participating in the parade with the Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Co. This was the first time they participated independently. Lake Harmony also took home five awards of its own.

The two fire companies hosted the state convention about 10 years ago. Berger said that this year’s performance was an even greater honor than hosting the convention and parade.

“It’s a great honor to host the state convention, but to me it’s more rewarding to present your equipment to the state,” he said.