BSVFD parade tonight

By Catherine Amos

Published: July 30, 2008

The ferris wheel is rotating, the bumper cars are bumping and the dunking booth is soaking: the Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department’s annual fair has begun.

Opening Wednesday, the fair runs through Saturday and will feature a parade tonight at 6:30. Fleetwood Heights Road — Route 685 in Brandy Station — will be packed with more than 200 parade entries, including Miss Virginia — Tara Wheeler — and two Washington Redskins cheerleaders all of whom will be available for autographs following the parade.

The fair is a fundraiser for the Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department to help pay for a recent $2 million addition and begins at 6 p.m. tonight and Friday. Saturday, the fair runs from 1 p.m. to midnight. There are no admissions or parking costs, only tickets for the rides or games.

“It takes the whole fire department to make this thing a success,” said Jeff Bailey, committee chairman. “We do it to make money, but we also do it for the community.

This is our one big annual event here in Brandy Station.”

Friday and Saturday nights there will be live music from Crossroadz and Brown Bag Special, with the crowning of the honorary fire chiefs Friday and a $5,000 cash prize Saturday. In addition to other prizes, there will be a steer giveaway — or $650 cash if you don’t want the livestock.

Also Saturday will be the car and truck show, co-sponsored by the Culpeper Cruisers, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about the fair and the parade, call 825-0354 or visit bsvfd.com.

Catherine Amos can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 138 or .