It's the perfect way for two local fire companies to celebrate 100 years of protecting the citizens of Upper Leacock Township.
To mark the milestone, Bareville and Upper Leacock fire companies are jointly hosting the 90th annual Lancaster County Fireman's Convention Friday and Saturday.
And "what better way than by hosting" the convention can you make people more aware of your work, said Lt. Scott Merchlinski, of the Upper Leacock Fire Company.
He said he hopes residents can become more familiar with the two stations, the personnel and equipment.
The local firefighters' annual convention begins Friday with a 7 p.m. memorial service for fallen firefighters and an awards presentation.
The annual memorial service will have a special emphasis on any member of a county department who has died in the past year.
Including bagpipes and trumpets, it's a "solemn and respectful service, as we pay tribute to those who have given selflessly of themselves," Merchlinski said.
The service is open to the public and will include the reading of the names of the deceased, with roses being given to family members or representatives.
Both the service and the awards presentation, which is at 8 p.m., will be at Conestoga Church of the Brethren, 141 E. Main St., Leola.
After a Saturday-morning county fireman's association meeting and elections, the convention will conclude with its annual parade, starting at 2 p.m.
Organizers are expecting about 140 fire trucks to participate, along with several walking units.
The mile-and-a-half parade will be held along Route 23 between Bareville and Leola, and is to run until 4 p.m.
With detours in place, organizers have notified all affected businesses and residents about the road closures, Merchlinski said.
Upper Leacock and Bareville will be covered by other fire companies and EMS units while the departments host the convention so they won't "leave the residents and visitors to the township without proper coverage," Merchlinski said.
In 2009, the fireman's convention and parade took place in Quarryville, with equipment for the parade from Lancaster and Chester counties, as well as Cecil County, Md., and Harford County, Md.
There are more than 80 volunteer fire companies in Lancaster County, with only one fully paid department, Lancaster city's.