The sound of a fire siren signaled the start of the 111th annual Orange County Volunteer Firefighters Association Parade on Saturday, as firefighters, emergency personnel, marching units and apparatus made their way through Washingtonville.

The parade, hosted by the Monell Engine Company of the Washingtonville Fire Department, was held Sept. 26 and drew fire companies from across Orange County and beyond.

Firefighters and apparatus assembled along Ahern Boulevard before the parade stepped off at 2 p.m. with the sounding of the siren at Monell Engine Company.

Marchers proceeded along State Route 94 through the village before concluding at Mays Field, where the annual parade tradition continued with judging and the presentation of trophies.

The parade was divided into an Escort-Guest Division followed by five divisions. Leading the respective divisions were Parade Marshal and OCVFA President Thomas Lynn for the Escort Division; Past President Helena Grunwald for the Guest Division; First Vice President Ryan Acciero for the First Division; Past President Charles Woznick for the Second Division; Third Vice President Mike Hufcut for the Third Division; Fourth Vice President Kim Lee for the Fourth Division; and Past President Jeff Holmes for the Fifth Division.

Judges positioned along the parade route evaluated the participating departments and units for trophies. After the parade, judges tallied their scores, with trophies presented later Saturday evening.

Despite gusty winds, the rain held off for most of the parade, allowing firefighters and spectators to take part in the annual celebration of Orange County’s volunteer fire service.

Among the departments recognized with awards were Mechanicstown Fire Company, which won Best Overall Men’s Unit; Vails Gate Fire Department, which received trophies for Best Overall Appearing Apparatus and Best Overall Color Guard, as well as second place in Class A Marching; and Nanuet Fire Department, which won first place Out-of-County Apparatus and Best Overall Out-of-County Unit.

Cronomer Valley Fire Department captured first place Color Guard, third place Men’s Class C and third place Engine.

Montgomery Volunteer Fire Department earned second place Class B Marching, while its Ladies Auxiliary was named Best Overall.

The annual OCVFA parade is part of the association’s countywide convention and provides volunteer fire companies with an opportunity to showcase their members, apparatus, marching units and community pride.

For Washingtonville’s Monell Engine Company and the Washingtonville Fire Department, hosting the 111th parade brought the annual celebration to the village and gave residents an opportunity to see volunteer firefighters from throughout the region march through the community.