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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER
Bethlehem Catasauqua East Penn Northampton Northwestern Parkland Salisbury Whitehall-Coplay

Rain can’t wash out community day

Published October 08. 2026 08:24AM
by Jim Marsh Special to The Press

For weeks, firefighters with the Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company planned indoor and outdoor activities for their annual Community Day open house Sept. 26.

What was not planned, however, was a band of showers from a powerful nor’easter moving up the Atlantic Coast.

No problem. Firefighters and auxiliary members are a resilient bunch. They simply rearranged space in the fire station and moved activities indoors.

Despite the uncertain weather, community residents and friends turned out in droves.

There was no shortage of activities. Youngsters enjoyed face painting, games, demonstrations of firefighting gear, goody bags, a visit from the Lehigh Valley IronPigs mascots FeFe and FeRROUS, and friendly encounters with two Salisbury Township Police Department K-9s.

Visitors also could purchase baked goods, participate in a basket raffle featuring items donated by local businesses and enjoy hot dogs for lunch. Firefighters were on hand throughout the event to answer questions from children and parents.

William Sames, assistant chief of the fire company, was the lead organizer. He said he was pleased with the large turnout despite the weather.

Chief Joshua Wells said, “We really look forward to this event every year. It’s such a good way to meet and interact with folks from our community in a relaxed way, without an emergency response bringing us together.”

After cleanup was complete and equipment was returned to its place, Sames summed up the day by saying, “All right, let’s start planning for next year.”

Bands of showers may have altered plans for the Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company's Community Day open house Sept. 26 at the Swain Station, 950 S. Ott St., but they did little to dampen spirits. Activities were moved indoors, and attendees enjoyed a day filled with fun, food and community connections.
Yuchen, Lisa and James Ham, of Macungie, check out Andy, a roving, talking model ambulance, during the Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company's Community Day open house. Tarissa Vanblarga, of Bath, with Cetronia Ambulance Corps, accompanied Andy on the fire station floor while colleague Khrystyna Rehrig, of Lansford, operated the display from the balcony.
Press photos by Jim MarshLehigh Valley Creative Clovers 4-H group members staff the bake sale table. The 4-H group meets monthly at the Swain Station fire house.
Molly Dilcher, of Emmaus, helps her daughter, Esme, 1 1/2, enjoy a cupcake.
Employees of the Giant store, 3300 Lehigh St., handed out treats and information. Pictured are Julianna Rach and Jakob Bruaw, both of Salisbury, and Nicole Tibak, of South Whitehall Township. The Giant store was among the businesses that supported the event.
ABOVE: Firefighters take a break for a photo with FeFe and FeRROUS, mascots of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
Amariyah Kirton, 5, and her father, Kadeem, of Breinigsville, meet Salisbury Police Department K-9 Knox and his handler, Officer Eric Laub,
Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company Chief Joshua Wells joined in the fun by getting his face painted with a flame-themed version of Fire District 31’s call sign.