Walnutport’s Diamond Fire Company celebrated its 125th anniversary on Saturday with a five-division vehicle parade which honored some of the department’s most loyal members, a formal program featuring state Fire Commissioner Bruce Trego, a hot dog eating contest, a block party and an awards presentation.

Paul Warnken, who served as chairman of the 125th anniversary committee, deemed the celebration a big success.

“It was a lot of hard work,” he said. “It’s wonderful in the end to see everyone come together as a big family,” referring to both the community and the brotherhood of surrounding fire departments.

More than 100 pieces of apparatus were in the parade from Northampton, Lehigh, Carbon, Schuylkill and Monroe counties.

Serving as the grand marshal was David Stankovic, a 44-year member of the fire department. Stankovic was a former lieutenant and assistant fire chief. He also is a fire company trustee.

Riding in the convertible with him on the parade route was his son, Spc. Ryan Stankovic, who serves in the Army National Guard. Stankovic wore his military uniform, noting he was able to get a special leave for the day to help the community honor his father.

Also riding in the front of the parade was Larry Merkle, a past president and former fire chief. He is the longest tenured member of the fire department, serving the Walnutport Fire Department for 54 years.

The parade began with the sounding of the borough’s fire alarm. The borough’s police department led the parade.

Fire Chief Michael Wentz, who has been involved in the fire company for 40 years, said planning for the event began three years ago. A major snag in that planning process happened with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, which put a major handicap on the needed fundraiser. Fortunately, he said, members resorted to social media to help raise the necessary funds that made the anniversary a success.

The state fire commissioner said this is the fifth time he has visited the Diamond Fire Company in Walnutport.

He praised the volunteer firefighters, saying, “From the governor, I thank each and every one of you for what you do daily. It would cost billions (of dollars) to replace you.”

Trago mentioned the stress firefighters face while battling blazes, saying that in 2017 more firefighters died from suicide than in the line of duty.

He said when he joined the fire service, he was advised by his superiors to “suck it up, kid, it’s part of the business.”

“Well, it’s not part of the business,” he said.

Trago said while firefighters have become concerned about cancer and other health issues, they also should be concerned about mental health from some of the scenarios they encounter.

“You’re on your A game when the people you are serving are having their worst day of their lives,” he said. “You must get rid of the stigma you are weak when you ask for help.”

Other speakers were Wentz, Merkle, Warnken and Borough Council President William Turk.

The invocation, benediction and rendering of the Fireman’s Prayer was by Wayne Weidner, fire company president.

Pennsylvania state Rep. Zach Mako and state Sen. Mario Scavello presented the fire department with citations from the commonwealth.

Jacob Deutsch of the Lehigh Township Fire Department won the hot dog eating contest, which was sponsored by local vendor Mr. Doggie Style.

It carried a $100 prize while the fire department he represented received $300.