ADAMS, Mass. — Dozens of fire trucks escorted by marching firefighters made their way around downtown Adams on Saturday to the sounds of drums, fifes and the skirl of the bagpipes.

 

The parade was years in the making to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the No. 1 Alert Hose Company, the town's volunteer fire department. 

 

"It was great. That was the number one biggest thing. The weather really cooperated. It's been a beautiful day," said Fire Chief David Lennon. "It was nice to see everybody out, see all the fire departments that came out. A lot of smiling faces. Really, really good. ...

 

"We had a committee that did a really nice job with that. It's all on them, not on me. They did a great job."

 

The Alerts, lead off by the Holyoke Caledonian Pipe Band and Grand Marshals and former Foremen William Gero and Joseph Koscinski, marched from St. Stanislaus' Church, down Summer and around to Park Street. They saluted as they passed the reviewing stand of current and former firefighters, and where David R. Bissaillon and Tyler Bissaillon were emcees.  

 

They stopped at the fire station to cheer on the other companies from around the region that had participated in the celebration. 

 

At the company's 20th anniversary, attended by more than 100, the company's first secretary and treasurer F.H.B. Munson told how the town had no formal fire department. The Alerts — part fire company, part social club — was born of a conversation in the backroom of Sam Tanner's store. After getting the signatures of 31 citizens, the first officers were elected at meeting in the Greylock Hotel on May 20, 1876. Charter members included Munson, Foreman A.B. Mole and First and Second Assistants John Whipple and James Osborne. 

 

According to Munson, the Alerts had won prizes (such as a box of cigars for being the "best behaved" company while in Syracuse, N.Y.) and invitations, including to England.

 

The first apparatus was three horse-drawn hose carts, the first hand-drawn hook and ladder was obtained in 1882, and the first alarm box installed in 1893. The first motorized equipment arrived in 1917. 

 

For its 40th anniversary, W.B. Plunkett presented the company with $300 in gold currency at a banquet in the Odd Fellows Hall. Plunkett told the gathering that the company's unselfish work had saved the community thousands of dollars. 

 

The Alerts have battled numerous fires and been rewarded at numerous parades and musters. Their dress uniforms are still the buff Prince Albert-style coats and white leather hats dating from the 1890s and the draw the parade cart purchased in 1885. 

 

On Saturday, nearly 30 fire companies arrived in uniform and vehicles shiny enough to use as mirrors. 

 

Afterward, many firefighters and band members hung out that the Adams Street Fair, an annual event to support local first responders. 

 

"They always do a great job supporting the local emergency services," said Lennon. "So it was a good mix to tie them together."

 

Tunxis Hose Company, Unionville, Conn., won best overall — and the biggest trophy — as well as best in uniform. Also taking awards were Lenox for best appearing aerial and farthest travel in Massachusetts; best uniform shirts, Shaftsbury, Vt.; best appearing tanker, Hinsdale; best appearing engine, Bennington, Vt.; best appearing rescue truck, Arlington, Vt.; best appearing brush/utility truck, Pownal, Vt.; best apparatus, an antique motorized 1922 truck; farthest traveled out of state, Washington, Conn.; and best appearing musical band, the Holyoke Caledonian Pipe Band.

 

The day ended with fireworks at 9 from Friend Street Field.