By Judy Chamberlain
For several years in the late 1950s and early 60s, one of the most anticipated summer events in Hastings was the Firemen’s Bazaar. A large, white circus tent would be erected on Farragut Avenue, across from the school, on the level land that backed up to the old Burke Estate. Banners and posted signs heralded this special event that would be held for four evenings each week for two weeks in early August.
The Bazaar was very popular with Hastings residents but it also drew crowds from surrounding areas. It was a fun evening for families. Admission was free, so almost everyone came by to either to try their luck on a game of chance or to eat some delicious food prepared by the volunteer firemen and their wives. And let’s not forget the cotton candy and shiny red apples on a stick that delighted the young at heart.
Center: Sam Caruso with white shirt and red pants
Right, Alex Rakotz on right with brown shirt and white hat with Mel Haines is next to him.
There was all sorts of merchandise displayed in the various booths, all yours for the lucky spin of a wheel or a toss of a ring or a dart. Children would throw Ping-Pong balls, aiming for the opening in little fish bowls, so they could go home with a prize pet goldfish. The “big attraction” for this fundraising event was held on the last day of the Bazaar when a new automobile was awarded to some lucky ticket holder.
Center: Officer Artie Fuller and Sam Caruso with red pants. Right, w ponytail: Dominic Rampa
Although it took a lot of planning, effort, and hard work by the firemen, the Bazaar provided a social gathering spot on a hot summer evening that many Hastings residents still fondly remember.
In the decades that followed the firemen did hold Carnivals in other locations that were undoubtedly as successful. However, I’ll let others speak of those events. My purpose was to rekindle a simpler time, when summer evenings meant getting together with friends and neighbors for a good time.
Such great memories! Spent every night at the Bazaar with family and meeting up with friends. It was the big event of the summer and signaled the end of summer. I hope if others have pictures from this time they will send them to you. We would all love to enjoy them.
The police officer’s name is Artie Fuller and the fellow on the right with the ponytail Dominic rampa definitely 1975
That was a great time and lots of fun back in the late 50s and early 60s especially if you
were a young teenager looking to impress a first date or hanging out with your friends
everyone hoping to win one of the “ top shelf prizes “ afforded by the many booths of
chance…..great memories !!
Thank you Judy for this! I remember the Bazaar well, when it was held in lower Reynolds Field in the early eighties. Our family loved it.
A big “WOW”. This is a pretty big undertaking by you Hastingsites. I just found this site by way of Chuck Devlin and am glad he wrote about it. I never would have expected that so many people who did such great things had lived in Hastings.. The only ones I was familiar with were Jonathon Winters, Albert Decker (he lived behind the old Saint Mathew’s Lutheran Church where I was a member), and Robert Merton (who I wrestled with in my senior year). If and when I leave the sunny south, North Carolina, to visit my sisters who still live in Hastings, I will make it my duty to visit.
Thanks for your work. I hope it is a work of love.
Bob Herd, H-O-H class of ’61
Great work!
I’m pretty sure in the 1975 picture with the policeman, the man in the white lieutenants fireman cap is Sam Caruso who owned and operated the “ cup n saucer “ luncheonette with his wife, whose name escapes me I’m sorry to say , two doors down from the fire house on Warburton Avenue,
JJ Grady
Not only lower Reynolds Field for the Bazzars, but I do recall across from Amjo’s the corner lot splitting Farragut was also a spot in early sixties.
I remember the tents were of military style and color. However, I was only 8 yrs. old
The Fireman’s Bazaar was as exciting to us as a trip to DisneyWorld is to kids today. We lived for it! I remember that in about 1957 my sister desperately hoped to win a cute stuffed animal, a little terrier dog dressed like a clown, and my grandfather, visiting from Cleveland, secretly placed a dime on every number so she was sure to win it. We couldn’t believe our luck. And she still has the little dog!
As a little girl during the 1950s (and living right down the street on Farragut Avenue), the Firemen’s Bazaar was a major event! My Aunt Margie would come up for the weekend from Brooklyn and what a thrill it was to venture with her into that amazing whirl of noise, lights, crowds…and, of course, the treat of cotton candy! A wonderful memory.
So many great memories. Simpler times!
My dad Matt Kavanah was a member of the fire department . As security for the Burke Estate event we slept in the car along with our dog . I remember walking around the grounds early in the morning and seeing how big some of the rides were without people on them.Great event , our volunteers are the best !!!!!
One year, I suspect in the late 50s, when I was 11 or 12, I went to the Bazaar, with friends, not sure where it was, but I won a part Collie part Boxer puppy by putting a dime or quarter on number 29, my birthday. My memory, which can play tricks, says it was on August 29 my actual birthday, but not sure that is true. The rest is. My parents were a bit less than delighted but we kept Gypsy for a number of years and then gave her to a family with a horse stable which she loved.
The Police Officer standing to the right in the picture with the side profile behind Dominic Rampa is Police Officer Anthony Taddeo Jr. who died in the line of duty in Hastings on June 3rd 1979. He was 30 years old leaving a wife and two children.
I believe the fireman wearing the yellow apron in the third pic down is Freddie Fernandez
Sam Caruso’s wife was Nancy. She also ran the Spring Thing
My family loved the Fireman’s Bazaar and in the early 1950s, I believe we acquired (through winning or purchasing, not sure!) a parakeet in a cage, and a red-eared slider turtle in a little plexiglass low cage with a fake green palm tree stuck to a little island elevated above a 1/2 inch water level. It was a bustling, noisy, exciting event with games of chance and skill.
Thanks for taking me back and sharing the wonderful and magical childhood memories of the Fireman’s Bazaar. Surfing through the photos I believe my late Father-in-Law Ron Paquette is in the 3rd pix down in the yellow apron to the right of Freddie Fernandez. Bobby Licht is furthest right. And I believe my brother in law Ronnie Paquette with the mop of blonde hair is stand in front of his dad Ron.
I’ve just read the brief article about the annual Fireman’s Bazaar. What I recall is that the original color was green because it was U.S. Army surplus. The polls stakes and canvas material was all stored in the loft of the Hook and Ladder building. At some point, put away damp and the material rotted, which facilitated the newer white one. Does anyone remember Jerry’s Army and Navy store, located across from the corner store known as Rieders then later Ben Sun? Also, the bank tellers in town used to have a standing joke that when customers were buying rolls of dimes, and that there was a “run” on dimes and it was time for the bazaar. Also, the Fortune wheels, oilcloth number roles and other miscellaneous gear was purchased from a New York amusement/entertainment supplier. The various numbering on the oilcloth for placing bets were alternate black and red with gold numbers. Lots of fun!
Poles not polls, – sorry.
Fond memories for sure.
Fireman bazaars and parades made Hastings what is was. In 1957, when I was 12, I took my little brother, Peter, 6, to the bazaar. He put his dime on a number but his number didn’t win so the roulette -wheel guy took the dime. My brother, almost crying, said “that man took my money.” The dime miraculously re-appeared and we went off to buy some popcorn. Can’t make this stuff up.