When word came down that the Kiwanis Club was unable to continue to put on the historic Rag-a-muffin parade, members of the Potsdam Fire Department picked up the reins in order to carry on the tradition. The department has been doing fire truck rides for years, predating the parade, but the members knew how much the parade meant to the children of Potsdam.

Over 300 ghosts and goblins gathered across from the Roxy Theater in the Main Street parking lot to begin their journey around the block, ending up in front of the fire station. Once there, the kids and their parents were treated to doughnuts, cider, apples, Pepsi, and Gatorade. Members happily handed out bags of candy to all those attending. The highlight of the day was, as always, the rides around the block on the fire trucks. This tradition has continued through generations of family members, with grandparents recounting to their grandchildren their rides on the trucks.

The Potsdam Fire Department would like to thank the West Stockholm Fire Department for providing an additional truck and the Pepsi Cola Bottlers of Ogdensburg for donating the Pepsi and Gatorade. We look forward to continuing to sponsor the parade for years to come!