Greensburg Hose Company No. 1 to welcome car enthusiasts for 2nd annual cruise

There were 126 vehicles entered in last year’s inaugural car and bike cruise at the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department’s Hose Company No. 1.

“A bunch of our guys have some old cars, so we figured we’d have a cruise and try to raise some money for the fire station,” company Capt. Brian Turpin said of the event’s genesis.

“We had cars from the 1920s up to the 1950s show up, and we even had some brand new Corvettes,” Turpin said. “This year, we’re hoping for 150 to 160 cars.”

The second annual cruise is set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Company No. 1 station, 6 McLaughlin Drive in Greensburg.

Turpin noted 160 cars, and no more, will fit onto the station property. The entry fee is $10 for those who want to display their prized set of wheels. They can vie for two trophies: a People’s Choice prize and a Firefighters’ Choice.

Admission is free for the public to come view the cars and to check out other features of the event — including tunes played by a disc jockey and beer and food for sale. Food trucks expected to be on hand include L&I’s, Speal’s on Wheels and Steel City Chimneys, which specializes in grilled Eastern European pastries.

There will be an auction of donated prizes including an Amish-crafted swing, car detailing kits, passes for the local Mt. Odin and Hannastown golf courses and Pittsburgh Pirates game tickets.

The firefighters will offer their custom shirts and hats for sale. They’ll also display the station’s vehicles and distribute kids’ helmets.

Parking for those not displaying vehicles will be available at the nearby Nicely Elementary School.

The 38 members of Hose Company No. 1 answered 1,955 calls in 2021, Turpin said.

Organized on Jan. 12, 1891, the company originally had its station on Greensburg’s North Main Street, near the bridge over today’s Norfolk Southern Railway. After moves to East Otterman Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, the company relocated to its current home in 1968.