After nearly scrapping the event due to pandemic restrictions, Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company has decided to host its 83rd Saxonburg Carnival.

The event, a longtime fundraiser for the fire company, will be hosted from Aug. 18-21 at Saxonburg VFC Firemen’s Grounds, said Carnival Chairman Paul Donaldson, who serves as an ambulance supervisor for Saxonburg VFC.

“Saxonburg Fire Company is not tax supported, so we are supported off of donations from our residents and through our fundraisers,” Donaldson said. “So the carnival has always been a very important fundraiser for us over the last many years.”

The event will feature food trucks, many of them local. Food trucks slated to be at the event include A Piece of Italy, Cindy Munchies, Cill’s Donuts, R&J Food Concessions, Shepard’s Brew — Coffee, D’s Apple Dumplings, Kellam’s Kettle Corn, Tooks Concessions and Firehouse Subs.

Admission is free, but there is a charge for rides. Ride passes will cost $20 at the event — or attendees can order them online for $15 at the VFC’s website during their pre-sale. The ride vendor, Penn Premier Shows, will bring about 10 rides, along with carnival games, Donaldson said.

Earlier this year, the fire company thought it would have to cancel the carnival because of the pandemic. But by May, officials decided to host the event, which has drawn crowds of thousands in pre-pandemic years.

Donaldson said they have decided to scale back the celebration, nixing the pet parade, water battle and firemen’s parade that typically accompany the carnival.

“It’s disappointing to many that we’re not having those events, but we just didn’t have the time,” Donaldson said.

But Donaldson said the carnival will still be a good way to bring the community together and support a good cause. Coming to the carnival will support the local food vendors after many struggled during the pandemic.

“The funds that are raised, we use it to purchase new fire gear for our members, we pay for everyday operating expenses and vehicle purchases, just to name a few,” he said.

While the event raises money for the fire department, it also offers the fire department a chance to give back to the community with a fun event that brings people together after many were apart throughout the pandemic, Donaldson said.

“What we were truly looking to do when we put this event together was to put an event together that would give kids something to do with school starting up soon, and with the crazy year everybody has had,” he said. “Saxonburg is a very community-oriented place to live and we always try to do something special for the residents and the kids of the area.”

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