Princeton Packet

20 April, 1988 (~estimated)

Hook & Ladder prepares for fete

A parade through the Princetons is one of several ideas being considered to mark the bicentennial celebration of the Princeton Hook & Ladder Fire Company in 1988.

Fire company members asked the Borough Council for its help in promoting the 200th anniversary of the North Harrison Street company. They are also seeking assistance from Princeton University, Princeton Township, both police departments and engineering departments and local merchants.

The suggested parade route would start at Nassau Street and University Place, then travel on Nassau to Harrison Street. A left turn on Harrison Street would take the parade past the Hook and Ladder, where the reviewing stands would be placed. The stands would hold invited guests, local dignitaries and others. The parade would continue down Harrison Street and end at the park behind the Princeton Shopping Center.

Councilman Mark Freda, borough fire commissioner and also a member of the fire company. said that the parade marshals might be Gov. Thomas Kean and U.S. Sen. Bill Bradley.

A tentative date for the celebration is May, 1988. The event will be canceled, however, if not enough support is garnered by July 31, 1987.

In other Princeton Fire Department news, the council approved the appointment of Mark A. Johnson as an active member of Mercer Engine Company No. 3 on Chambers Street.