On a day that marked the largest parade in the history of the City of Wilmington, Delaware, units from West Grove Fire Company were well represented, as a standby company and in the parade that marked the 100th Anniversary of the Wilmington Fire Department.

WGFC's Ladder 22 served as an available ladder truck in support of emergencies across the City, standing by at Station 4, on the north side of the City. The crew handled a house fire and automatic fire alarm.

WGFC's Antique 22, also known as Elsie, was a featured truck in the parade, which had 20 bands and 40 fire companies represented. The two hour parade wound its way from Brandywine Park straight down King Street, with fire apparatus present from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and across Delaware. Thousands of people lined the parade route, including many in Rodney Square. Elsie was positioned just behind the United States Marine Corp Marching Band, and was a crowd favorite based on applause and photo opportunities.

After the parade, Elsie went to the area behind Frawley Stadium, where the 100th Anniversary Celebration continued with a display of approximately 40 antique and historical fire apparatus. In addition, fire boats and water rescue boats from area Fire Departments and the DE State Police were on display.

The WGFC thanks Jim Prettyman, of Prettyman Excavating & Septic Service, of Oxford, PA, for his assistance in transporting Antique 22 from Landenberg to Wilmington.

For more coverage of the parade, see: https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2021/10/23/parade-celebrates-100-year-anniversary-wilmington-fire-department/8523468002/ (Some pictures credited to the Wilmington News Journal)