ESPY -- A community in Columbia County cancelled its annual carnival for the first time in more than 60 years. Firefighters said the flood of 2011 is to blame.
Robin Bogart and her four kids live across the street from the Espy Fire Company. She said her family enjoys the rides, games and food at the annual firemen's carnival near Bloomsburg.
"They just love it because we could walk over, they could have fun. The fish game was one of their favorite things," Bogart said.
The family was sad to find out the carnival was cancelled this year, for the first time in more than 60 years. That is because the Espy Fire Company got almost five feet of water in last September's flood.
"We don't have the manpower to get ready right now so it's disappointing but we had to do it," Jeffrey Dawson said.
The carnival is the fire company's biggest fundraiser each year, and was supposed to be held earlier this month. Because of the flood, the volunteer company will miss out on thousands of dollars this year.
"It's given us through the years a nice income to work with to support the trucks and equipment," Howard Reinbold said.
The firefighters say all of this equipment was under four and a half feet of water. They are looking for volunteers to help clean up the grounds.
"Our plans are to clean, repair and sanitize the remaining stands," Reinbold said.
Robin Bogart and her kids were looking forward to the carnival, and are disappointed.
"It's something they enjoy and it's not real expensive. We don't have to spend the gas money, they could just walk across the street and have fun," Bogart said.
The fire company says it hopes to get the carnival grounds ready, and hold a smaller event like a chicken barbecue in August.