Armitage-Herschell Track #409, 1900?, 2 row, Portable, Track, 24 j, 4 ch; NHL ; NRHP ; b/o none; Inner row of benches (16) faces outward.Horses rock. Purchased in 1948 for $1500.; History: OL unk; unk? to ?; Schenevus Park, Schenevus, NY, 1948 to present; Directions: Operates each year the third full weekend in July for Schenevus Firemans' Carnival.

"We have all kinds of rides, games, live entertainment, food and everything you can think of," said Tom Roseboom, former Schenevus fire chief and chairman of the carnival committee. "This is quite a big event."

The list of family activities held at the Schenevus fair grounds keeps growing, firefighters said.

"Every year, it's gotten bigger and better," said Schenevus volunteer firefighter Ray Adee, who is also on the planning committee.

The event, free to the public, is a tradition that started before World War II, and is held on the third week in July each year, Roseboom said. Also Otsego County's deputy emergency services coordinator, Roseboom has chaired the carnival for 20 years. Thousands of people normally attend, he said.

This year the event will be held in conjunction with the Otsego County Fireman's Convention. A Fireman of the Year will be named at a banquet dinner for firefighters and their families at Schenevus Central School on Thursday evening, and a fireman's queen will be crowned.

Three local men will kick off the carnival festivities with a sky diving display at the Schenevus fair grounds at 7 p.m. Thursday. Volunteer firemen will prepare and sell fried dough, sausages and other food.

A Ferris Wheel, merry-go-round and kiddie rides will be set up, as will game booths with dart throws, tick-tack-toe and bingo. The fireworks, scheduled for about 10 p.m. Friday, is an impressive display that draws people from all over the area, Roseboom said.

"They're getting to be rather well known," he said. "They're probably about the best fireworks you'll ever see." Adee agreed.

"It's a phenomenal show," he said.

Although it is illegal, cars line Interstate 88 to watch them, Roseboom said.

A parade at 6 p.m. Saturday, featuring firefighters, church groups and scouts throwing candy, is also a popular attraction, the firefighters said.

On Thursday at 8 p.m., a local band, Jump Start, will perform, and White Lightning will play at 8 p.m. Friday. Route 66, a country band, will play at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

A chicken barbecue and a Chinese action of goods donated by local merchants will start Saturday at noon.

All aspects of the carnival are operated and funded by the Schenevus Volunteer Fire Department, Roseboom said. Money raised at each carnival is saved to fund the next carnival, he said.