The Tioga Volunteer Fire Department celebrated America’s 250th birthday in style alongside the community.
The annual event is hosted by the Tioga Volunteer Fire Department and receives support from sponsors such as the Tioga Economic Development Corporation and assistance from other entities such as the police department and community members.
“We love hosting this every year,” Chief Richard Hartman said. “It's a great community event. We have people from all over that come down for this display and the parade, as far out as Waco and Oklahoma City.”
Before the fireworks, the event started with its parade.
However, this year’s parade was especially memorable for the department because Tioga resident Edna Hilliard led it.
“She was our grand marshal, she's 91 years old and she's been participating in this parade for years,” Hartman said. “So, it was really special for us to have her lead the parade on her classic tractor. If you come to any Fourth of July parade, it's always in it.”
Leading up to the fireworks show, several food vendors set up as people gathered with their lawn chairs and blankets around the baseball field at Tioga Elementary School.
There was also live music from a variety of singers and genres throughout the evening to keep people entertained.
On Saturday, there were two grounded hot air balloons, including one with a banner that celebrated America’s 250 anniversary.
For volunteer firefighter Julia Hartman, this is her fourth parade, and for her, all the hard work that goes into an event like this is worth it because it gives her a chance to connect with the people she serves regularly.
“Not a lot of people see the behind-the-scenes of us going and running calls,” she said. “So, this can be a lot of the time that a lot of the community sees us or surrounding communities, because we have people come from Pilot Point, Collinsville, everywhere. So, I think it's a great way for us to [do] outreach and get to talk face-to-face with everybody.”
People like Pilot Point’s Glynn Tidwell and his family, who have been attending the Tioga fireworks show for over 10 years as part of their Fourth of July tradition and have no plans to stop.
“It helps their fire department,” Tidwell said. “It helps this community, and even though we don't live in the community, we come out and support this community and this fire department because they put on a heck of a show.”
Another draw for them is the people.
“Everybody gets along,” Tidwell said. “… Everybody's your neighbor out here. I've never seen anybody get uptight, riled up, out here at this one in all the years we've come.”
Keeping with tradition, the volunteer firefighters walked around the event with a boot in hand to accept community donations.
Since it's volunteer-run, the money is used to purchase new equipment, better vehicles, training and other needed items to continue supporting the community.
“I just love the group of volunteers that we have, guys and girls both,” Richard said. “Without the volunteers, we wouldn't be able to do this. We have 13 volunteers right now that serve 24/7 to help protect this city and the area around it. I can't say enough. Hats off to these guys and girls that are out here every day.”
It’s volunteers like retired firefighter Allen Lenaburg that make the difference.
“I had been an EMS for 35 years, and then I had a different career after that,” Lenaburg said. “And after I retired, it was like I didn't know what to do with myself, so doing this makes me feel useful.”
Lenaburg has served with the department since 2022 after moving to the area from California in 2019.
“I like the small-town kind of community thing,” he said. “Where I'm from is more city and people are a little more isolated. For example, here, you're at the grocery store, someone you didn't even know will just start talking to you.”
As the sky darkened, families and friends settled in to watch the night sky burst with fireworks, bringing another successful Fourth of July show to a close.
