The Hudson Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association (HVVFA) announced the cancellation of its Mardi Gras and Dress Parades due to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. These occasions were scheduled for Fri., June 19 and Sat., June 20 in the Hamlet of Wallkill.

This year would have been the 131st HVVFA Parades. Every year, volunteer firefighters and their departments from the 16-county Hudson Valley region, spanning from Rockland and Westchester Counties to as far north as Essex County, are invited to the annual meeting and celebration.

Firefighters who attend honor their fellow service members at an awards ceremony and train on relevant topics affecting firefighters. Last year’s training was on cancer awareness, which is a major issue to first responders. They also march in a Mardi Gras parade, which has a special theme. This year’s theme would have been “Luck of the Irish.”

The Hamlet of Wallkill previously hosted the HVVFA’s celebration in 2002 and Eric Orr, president of Wallkill Hook, Ladder and Hose Co. and a director at HVVFA anticipated approximately ninety fire departments to attend this year’s event.

Though this year’s parades are canceled, the HVVFA is still working on the possibility of holding a meeting sometime in October or sooner. These meetings were originally scheduled for Thurs., June 19 and Fri. June 20 at the Walden Firehouse.

“As soon as we know what can and cannot be done, a decision will be made and we will get the information out as soon as possible,” said HVVFA President Jack Delaney.