This year’s “Celebration of Community” by the Mahoning Valley Fire Company was definitely a success.

Vendors sold out of food, the parking lot overflowed onto an adjoining farm, all activities for the children were free with many of them offering stuffed animals as prizes, and a basket raffle had scores of selections.

This is about the 10th year for the celebration, said Jay Michalik, assistant fire chief. He said attendance was among the largest of any of the events.

“We’re growing every year,” he said. “We’ve got a tremendous amount of support.”

The Celebration of Community was held on the fire company grounds under ideal weather conditions.

Michalik said, “This is our celebration of the community. Our forefathers taught us that beyond giving service to the community, that we should be a central hub to get the community together.

“That’s what the day’s all about,” he said. “We consider it a treat to have this.”

He said when the fire company was founded in 1951, it was a passing of the hat to get money for the fire company.

“This is a modern-day version of the passing of the hat,” he said, adding that although activities are free, that it is the fire company’s largest fundraiser. “It’s hard to survive without the financial support and backing of the community.”

“This is always a proud day for us as our charter members and all of those who volunteered before us had a belief that an organization such as ours should not only be available for the obvious, emergency services, but equally important we should take the time and effort in an attempt to gather the community at the firehouse to celebrate all the good things that come out of living in a great community such as the Mahoning Valley and surroundings,” he said.

The activities began in the morning with a 5K run and wellness walk.

Later in the day, there was a large cornhole tournament.

The Cramer Brothers, a band with prolonged ties to the fire company, played country music.

Some of the games children could play were ring toss, roulette wheel, Styrofoam ax tossing and cork shooting, all to win a prize while not having to pay to play.

There also was a simulated burning, cardboard house in which youngsters used a fire hose to knock down cardboard flames with firefighters standing with them for assistance.

Fire apparatus was available for children to examine.

Other organizations also were part of the celebration. The Lehighton Ambulance Association handed out pens, lip balm and literature.

Stands selling food included the Carbon County 4-H Club, which served roasted corn as well as waffles and ice cream; the Parryville Fire Company which had a food truck, Rachel’s Cake Corner and Kitty Kat Concessions. In addition, the Mahoning Valley Lions Club sold chicken dinners, pulled pork and assorted other foods.

Bailey Goodhile of Lehighton said, “It’s commendable that the fire company does this. My and my kids are having a wonderful time. I just want to say ‘thank you’ to the fire company and all that they do.”

Eight-year-old Ethan O’Rourke took turns on the fire simulator over-and-over until beckoned by his parents that they had to leave. “This is really fun,” he said.

Michalik said there are sponsors who help to make the event possible.

“Just a thank you to our sponsors,” he said. “Whenever you are at event like this, pay attention to those who sponsor it. They’re the one backing the community.”