The Salmon Brook Historical Society was one of many organizations that played a significant role in this year’s 250th Anniversary celebration of our nation in Granby. As I stated in the June 2026 edition of the Drummer, the 250th Committee had a simple and efficient celebration throughout the year. We co-sponsored historical lectures with Holly Johnson and the Granby Public Library. The Granby America 250th Committee placed banners throughout town as well as had “1776” signs in front of Granby homes that were here when our nation declared its independence,
On July 3, the committee had the Decker Band play at Salmon Brook Park. That evening, we held the community bonfire. Bob King and I were responsible for getting the bonfire set up—the Salmon Brook Historical Society is fortunate to have good neighbors, the Lost Acres Fire department, to help us.
I did some research on bonfires and the different types that could be built. I checked with our Fire Marshall, Brian Long, to make sure we could safely have a bonfire without putting Salmon Brook Park at risk. King and I met with Lost Acres Fire Chief Tim Weber and Assistant Chief Erik Davis about the bonfire. I explained what the 250th Committee had planned and they assured me there would be a water tanker there in case the bonfire got out of control.
We also met with Leo Swisher, who oversees the LAFD Cadets. The cadets program consists of young people, ages 14 to 17, who learn and train to become members of the fire department. The program started in 2013 as a way to encourage boys and girls to become interested in the fire service.
The cadets meet with the fire department on Tuesday nights, and they train on Thursday nights. They learn many of the same procedures as veteran firefighters—how to use the hoses, care for them and properly roll them up after a fire, to be ready for the next emergency; using ladders safely; and how to use ropes and tie different types of knots in case they are needed during an emergency, such as a rescue at Enders State Forest.
According to Swisher, there are about five new cadets each year. During the 13 years of the program, some former cadets have become officers in the Fire Department.
Swisher told me he would bring his cadets and a few members of the department to Salmon Brook Park and help build the bonfire. The day before, on July 2, the Department of Public Works was kind enough to deliver sand and wood that had been collected and donated for the bonfire. Thanks to Valley Brook Church for donating half a cord of dried wood.
Eight members of the fire department, including four cadets, came to help build the teepee-style bonfire. They first placed eight-foot logs, about eight inches thick, on the sand to form a square base. They took long narrow branches and placed one end of each branch into the sand, leaning them together to form a teepee. More branches were added to strengthen the structure. One of the members then stacked the cord of wood inside the teepee to produce a bigger fire once it was lit. It took the crew 30 minutes to complete this structure.
On July 3 at 8:15 p.m., Captain Paul Cote, a firefighter with 50 years of service, used three flares to light the bonfire. The fire started small and eventually grew into a blazing fire. While the fire was burning, former members of the Granby Marquis Fife and Drum Corps played their tunes. The bonfire was a big success with the crowd even though it was a hot evening, with the air temperature of 89 degrees.
The Lost Acres Fire Department marched in the July 4th parade, the first Independence Day Parade in Granby in 50 years.
To learn more about the Lost Acres Fire Department and Granby’s parades, join the Salmon Brook Historical Society.