POTTSVILLE -- A tradition spanning 65 years came to an end Friday night in Schuylkill County.
The Humane Fire Company in Pottsville hosted its final block party, an event that was once its largest fundraiser.
For many here in Pottsville, the Humane Fire Company's annual block party brings with it a life time of memories.
“I grew up with this hose company. I had my first slice of pizza here when I was 13, yeah,” said Rose Tokonitz.
“I've been coming with my mom since I was two years old,” said Debra Stoudt.
The summertime bash held at the fire house was once seen as the fire company's largest fundraiser.
However over the years, rising costs and strains on manpower have reduced any profits.
So, it's with a heavy heart the fire company made the tough call to pull the plug.
This was the final block party.
“With the past five years this event has not been a worthwhile profit for the amount of event, this takes, we start usually in January, organizing it,” said Joe Spotts, a trustee for the fire company.
“I've been coming here since I was a kid, I remember the street being rides, from that end of the street, pony rides and everything else,” said Stoudt.
“It's really sad,” said Tokonitz. “Yeah, a lot of good bands, good food, always see your friends here, yeah.”
“It's sad to see this coming to an end, I grew up here as a kid and it used to be like a three day event and half price on Saturday for kids, and it was bigger than this was,” said Joyce Lord. “It's shame, sorry to see an era end like this.”
As far as fundraising efforts, the fire company has already started throwing crab fests and last year's was a success.
“We got a vendor out of Maryland, so we are truly getting Maryland crabs,” said Spotts. “We had over 200 people attend the event last year.”
The “all-you-can-eat” crab fest will be held at the Humane Fire House on Saturday, September 19th from 6 to 9 pm, tickets are $30.
