A block party, parade and awards will help Diamond Fire Company in Walnutport commemorate its 125th anniversary celebration.

The fire company will ring in its historic milestone with a two-day event that will be held Friday and Saturday.

Friday’s events will feature a Block Party Celebration from 5-11 p.m., along with entertainment by “The Groove” from 7-10 p.m.

Saturday will be highlighted with a parade at 1 p.m. At the conclusion of the parade, the block party and 125th anniversary ceremony will begin. There will also be a hot dog eating contest with prizes to be awarded to contestants and their respective fire department. The band Dirty Roxx will wrap up the event.

The parade route will be Washington Street to South Canal Street to Main Street, and then turn onto Lincoln Avenue, where it will end at Third and Lincoln by the baseball field.

Fire Chief Michael Wentz said the fire department has been planning the event for about three years.

“We want to see the public come out, celebrate 125 years,” Wentz said. “Through fundraising, we raised a good amount of money.”

Grand marshal

A member of the fire department for 44 years, David Stankovic has been chosen as grand marshal of the parade.

Wentz said it was only natural to select Stankovic for the distinction.

“Dave’s family has been involved with the fire company for many years,” Wentz said. “Dave is the oldest active board member, and he’s very active; the decision was pretty easy.”

Stankovic began with the fire department in 1977. He previously served as lieutenant, as well as assistant fire chief.

“I really appreciate it,” Stankovic said. “They must appreciate what I’ve done here for 44 years.”

Stankovic praised not only the firefighters of the past, but also the current group that makes up the fire department.

“We have a pretty large group of men and women,” he said. “It means that we have a bunch of good guys that want to keep the tradition going.”

Wentz said much like himself, Stankovic was born and raised in Walnutport, and is always there for the community and the fire company.

“His best interest has been the fire company,” he said. “He’s a lifer.”

Wentz noted that Larry Merkle had served as grand marshal for the fire company’s 100th anniversary celebration.

What it means to firefighters

As the longest tenured member of the fire department, Merkle touted the importance of the American LaFrance.

“It was (one of) the first 75-foot aerial truck(s) in the state,” Merkle said. “I was one of the first guys to run it.”

A member for 54 years, Merkle was born and raised in the house across the street from the fire company.

Much like Merkle, Stankovic said he’s proud that the fire department was one of the first in the state to have the 75-foot aerial American LaFrance.

“Many years ago, the ladder saved a person,” he said. “We rescued a woman on Main Street in Slatington aside of the Turkey Hill.”

Stankovic said the 125th anniversary celebration is validation that the fire company continues to thrive even after all these years.

“I hope it shows that we really can be a big group,” he said. “Our fire personnel, we all try to help each other.”

The celebration signifies the fire department’s commitment to the community, according to Assistant Chief Paul Warnken Jr., chairman of the 125th anniversary celebration.

“It’s important because you don’t have many (fire) companies around 125 years,” Warnken Jr. said. “I’d like to see the community and other fire companies come out and have a good time, and the fire companies come out to show their equipment to all of us.”

So, too, would Wentz, who has been fire chief for the past five years, and before that was deputy fire chief for 25 years.

A member of the fire department for 40 years, Wentz agreed that there aren’t too many fire companies that can boast of such longevity.

“One-hundred-twenty-five years is a milestone,” he said. “I look at it as a very big milestone doing what we do to the best of our ability to protect (the community).”

Even after all this time, Merkle said he’s still involved with the fire department.

“One-hundred-twenty-five years, I’m glad I’m here yet to see it,” he said. “It’s up to these guys to carry it on.”

Merkle joined the department at the age 21 and had stints as fire chief, vice president and president.

His wife, Doneta, previously served as secretary for about 30 years.

Merkle said he’s optimistic the fire department will eventually celebrate its 150th, 175th and 200th anniversaries in time.

“I just hope they can keep it going the way it is,” he said. “I’m just glad I had a part in seeing this stuff happen.”

So, what is Merkle most looking forward to come the 125th anniversary celebration?

“The guys are doing a real good job,” he said. “I’m hoping to have a good time, my wife and I.”