Chasing Memories at the Annual Fireman's Carnival - White Haven, Pa.

This weekend small town hospitality served up an old-fashioned carnival with a candy-grab parade to boot. With my grandsons, Alex and Markus, I took off for adventure in the no-stoplight river-hugging town of White Haven.

Driving in we noticed spectators gathering like ants at a picnic. Corners, curbs, front stoops, car bumpers and dads’ shoulders everywhere filled up quickly as we passed. For me it was a just another drive, but those cherished backseat eyes lit with pure anticipation.

We parked on a side street and met up on a friend’s porch to share in the shenanigans. The parade started a little late at 7:15, but as usual delivered an ear-blasting hand-waving spectacle for fire engine fans of all ages. To be honest this year the parade seemed about half as long as last year’s, but it was still a treat. From bright and shiny to funky antiques, fire engines from neighboring towns paraded past as we smiled and ran for flying candy. The perfect appetizer to carnival fare!

After the final blast faded away we hurried to Lehigh Street’s Ball Park for the carnival festivities. There was a band rocking away on stage with a large enthusiastic crowd enjoying the adjacent beer tent. The usual festival fare of funnel cakes, candy apples, pierogies and other fried treats was topped by one long stand of homemade food with clams, wings, potato pancakes and other local favorites—fronted by a long line of happy customers. My grandsons opted for cotton candy, what else?

Rides, rides. Games, games. More friends, friends and food, food. Then we hit the playground to wind down before heading home. Did I say wind down?! Kids from 2 to 10 were flying around by the seat of their pants while wilted moms surrendered on the sidelines. I joined my gang and we laughed and hid our eyes and lent a helping hand as needed. It was simple. Fun.

All-in-all the night was a summer carnival classic. All tired and glowy with the little things in life, we wrapped it up walking back to the car, catching fireflies and talking about their even littler lives. Please stop a moment… and enjoy yours . Firemen’s carnivals, festivals and fairs of all kinds can be had almost any weekend somewhere in Northeastern PA. Grab your family and find one.