This is a blog version of an earlier Facebook posting.
We recently received and digitized a pair of program books from the Great American Firehouse Exposition and Muster South, held in Charlotte in May 1988 and May 1989. Both are fabulous snapshots of the late eighties fire service. They were gifted by a fellow history fan, attending the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo in Raleigh this month.
See parade photos by Sid Bragg, from the 1988 event.
Sunday Events
On May 2, 1988, the Charlotte Observer printed a schedule of the events on Sunday, the last day of the expo. It noted that more than 3000 firefighters from eleven southern states were expected to attend. The event was sponsored by Firehouse Communications Inc., publishers of Firehouse Magazine and Chief Fire Executive.
These events on Sunday, May 8, were open to the public:
- Flea market from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the parking lot beside Adam Mark hotel, admission was $3 per person or $5 per family
- Parade at 12:15 p.m. that featured equipment old and new, including an 1895 horse-drawn steamer. The route started at the County Services Building at the corner of North Tryon and 11st Streets, proceeded south to Trade, east to Brevard, south Second, and east to McDowell.
- Muster activities at 2:30 p.m. on Second Street in front of the Education Center, with competitions between teams of firefighters in four timed tests. Trophies were awarded to the winning teams and a $300 prize was awarded to the overall top team.
Then What Happened?
It appears that “Firehouse South” was held in Charlotte for only those two years.
Clippings From 1988
Clippings From 1989
