News

THE CUP COMES HOME - Smyrna, DE
Saturday, September 18, 2010

On Saturday, September 18, 2010, the Governor's Cup was awarded to the Citizens' Hose Company for the best appearing fire company with music. This is the 30th time that the CHC has won the award and marks the end of over a month of hard work. Countless hours were put into both cleaning apparatus and marching practice. During this time of year the firehouse is filled with friends and family that are willing to lend a hand. It brings a sense of pride and accomplishment when all the hard work pays off. On Saturday, the day started at 5:00am with a wonderful breakfast provided by the Auxiliary. By 6:00am the crew was loading up to head to Dover for the final cleaning before the trucks entered the pre-judging area. 44 members made the trip at dawn to make sure everything was ready. Thanks to their hard work, the CHC was awarded with trophies for Best Appearing Rescue Truck, Best Appearing Ladder Truck, Best Appearing Tanker, Best Appearing Pumper 1985-Present, 3rd Best Appearing Brush Truck, and 3rd Best Appearing Antique. The parade kicked off in Dover at 1:00pm with the CHC marching as one of the first companies in line. This left an anxious 2 hours as the rest of the state filed down the road. When the awards were announced at 4pm, the CHC came away with Best Appearing Non-School Band, Best Appearing Jr. Miss Fire Prevention, 3rd Best Appearing Color Guard, and the Governor's Cup for Best Appearing Overall. After the awards were announced, everyone headed back to Smyrna for the traditional celebration. The Company and Band paraded up and down Commerce St. and rolled the keg back to the firehouse. This year the keg was started by Bob Merrill who has been active in the band for 49 years. We were also joined in the celebration by members of the Odessa Fire Company and Volunteer Hose Company of Middletown as well as our stand-by crews from Sudlersville, Chestertown, and Hacks Point, MD. Thank you to everyone for all the help and support in making #30 possible. Without everyone's help, from the wives and children, to the Auxiliary, and especially the stand-by crews, none of this is possible. A special thank you goes to the Odessa Fire Company for their hospitality on Saturday night and for continuing the competition. We look foward to next year. "No Matter When, Where, or How Many Times . . . IT NEVER GETS OLD!!!!!"