Island Heights Summerbrew Is Back To Kick Your Summer Into High Gear
Island Heights Summerbrew is scheduled to return to the Island Heights Volunteer Fire Company Number 1, located at 15 Lake Avenue in Island Heights. The scheduled date of the much-anticipated shindig is Saturday, June 29th, from 5 pm until 11 pm, rain or shine.
Back At The Original Location.
According to the official Island Heights Summerbrew Facebook page, “This year we are going back to our roots and we’re bringing Summerbrew back to the firehouse to bring back that old school parking lot party feeling that the event is known for! This year the price of admission includes not only all of your drinks but all of your food again.
The Drunken Clams will be rocking out on stage, as well as great a DJ from the Surge Entertainment to get you moving your feet all night! Come enjoy our big selection of craft beers, local breweries, as well as hard ciders, hard seltzers, and wines! Water and sodas will also be available. This event is 21 and older, and is rain or shine.” You can read about last year’s Summerbrew here.
The Island Heights Volunteer Fire Department’s History
According to their website, the Island Heights Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 was organized on February 14th, 1895 by a group of residents who realized the need for fire protection in the community. One of the first in the area, the fire company originally operated out of a single-car garage on Jaynes Avenue and later upgraded to a two-story firehouse located on the corner of Van Sant and Simpson Avenues in 1923 (currently occupied by the Ocean County String Band).
During this time, a number of fire engines were purchased and utilized to support the mission of the fire company. Shortly after moving into the new firehouse in 1923, the company purchased a new fire engine to add to the existing fleet. The engine was a 1928 Ahrens-Fox pumper which not only served the company for almost a century but, to this day, continues to remain in service.
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After responding out of that firehouse for four decades, the company built and relocated into the current firehouse located on the corner of Lake and Maple Avenues near the entrance to town. The current firehouse has provided not only a hall for rent but also a large parking lot in the rear, most notably known as the venue of the fire company’s annual Summerbrew block party.
While Bingo was a main source of fundraising income for the company over the years, it sadly ended in the early 2000s, allowing the company to renovate the hall and add an office, workshop, and storage area. The size of the hall decreased but is still available for rent.
Although the buildings and apparatus have changed through the years, the mission and many of the faces have not. The fire company continues to focus on protecting the community and preserving life and property as they did over a century ago.
The Fire Company Today.
The Island Heights Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 is a 100% independent non-profit organization in Island Heights, New Jersey, funded almost entirely by donations, fundraisers and grants.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Station 53 operates two engines equipped for fire suppression, forcible entry and ventilation operations, a water rescue team consisting of a utility truck for transporting personnel and equipment and a boat equipped for both fire suppression and water and ice rescue operations and a command vehicle operated by the fire chief, Eric Johnson.
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