For the first time since 2019, Bristol’s bravest will hold their spirited competition.
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A Firemen’s Muster has been held in Bristol for at least 125 years; the earliest mention in the Bristol Phoenix of a local event appears in the July 26, 1898 edition, in an announcement that the Hydraulion Engine and Hose company held a meeting to plan the muster and hose reel contest at Mount Hope Park. Offering cash prizes as high as $150 for first place in the “squirt,” invitations were sent to fire companies from around New England.
It was a successful day, by the account in the Aug. 26 issue of the Phoenix, with some 3,000 spectators.
“The hand engine and hose reel contests were close and interesting and evoked much enthusiasm,” the paper reported. “Everything passed off smoothly, the crowd was jolly, but orderly, and everyone enjoyed the day.”
It’s not known haw many times in the ensuing 100+ years the event has been cancelled, but we do know that 2020 and 2021 were two of those years. According to Chief DeMello, “hand engine” and “hose reel” are not on the agenda, but other events — with equally insider names — are planned, including Dry Hose, Midnight Alarm, Wet Hose, as well as the universally understood Tug-o-war.
Not on the agenda this year is the popular (and photogenic) Water Battle.
“We thought we’d change it up a bit,” said DeMello. “The Water Battle is a lot to set up. But it’s going to be a fun time, EMS is putting in a team, which should be entertaining since they aren’t familiar with some of these events.”
That will make a total of five teams, with the Hydraulion, Everready, Defiance, and Dreadnaught stations competing against the EMS team and each other. If tradition holds, the victorious team will do a victory lap around town, sirens and all.
Following the Muster, the Department will hold its annual family outing at the Metacom Avenue headquarters.
The Muster will held at Independence Park beginning at noon on Sunday, July 17, and last about two hours.
“The public is welcome,” said DeMello. “Come on down and watch the show!”