A Ferris wheel, funnel cakes, and children's games - all at the Firemen's Fair starting Tuesday, July 10. The United Hook and Ladder Company No. 33 will be hosting the third annual fair featuring live entertainment each night and ride-all-night armbands for the carnival attractions.

"It's a good community event," said Joey Byrne, president of the United Hook and Ladder Company. "It gives the community something to do."

Rides will include a merry-go-round and scramblers with station volunteers hosting small games such as dime and soda tosses. Hayrides, bingo and a gun raffle will also take place at the fair. Although the carnival rides are open for all ages, the fair is especially welcoming toward children and families this year.

"We have stuff for the kids to do at a reasonable price," Byrne said.

Food will include carnival fare such as pizza and French fries, and the fair's kitchen will also offer nightly meal platters as well as a general menu. The meals change with the day - from seafood night to pit pork and potatoes.

For the first time this year, Brookmere Winery will be selling glasses of wine. Volunteers also will be donating cakes and cookies to be sold.

Byrne said the five-day event draws around 10,000 people to the grounds each year. According to Byrne, it takes a large number of volunteers to host the event.

"We get a lot of help from the volunteers," he said. "It takes around 50 people per night."

After the event, volunteers stay until around midnight cleaning up the grounds and organizing

everything for the next day. In the early morning, volunteers also come in to prepare the meals. However, Byrne said all the hard work is worth it.

The United Hook and Ladder Company was formed in 2009 and combines the New Oxford fire station and the Abbottstown fire station under one name. The New Oxford fire company had been hosting a fair for more than 50 years, but now the event combines two stations under one name.

"It's a good fundraiser for us. We get a percentage of the ride money and food sales," Bryne said. "It helps with general operating costs."

Some of those costs include maintaining and fixing the fire trucks as well as paying station electric bills.

- CAIA CALDWELL, for FlipSide

If you go

WHAT: Firemen's Fair by United Hook and Ladder Company 33

WHEN: 5 p.m. kitchen, 6:30 p.m. fair Tuesday, July 10 through July 14

WHERE: 21 N. Bolton St., New Oxford

COST: $12-$14 ride bands

DETAILS: www.33fire.com/fair