Fire Museum’s Third Annual Lights and Sirens Parade

When we call for help, they're there. They're always ready and willing to help at a moments notice. They run into buildings when others are running out. They're heroes. Now it's our turn to pay them back.

While shooting the 2017 Dwyer & Michaels Classic Car Calendar I stumbled across a little known gem of the Quad Cities. Operated by the Davenport Fire Antique and Restoration Society is the International Fire Museum located in the old Hose Company No. 4 in the Village of East Davenport.

Built in 1931 the building houses the most complete history of firefighting in the entire Quad Cities. Inside this tiny museum is a collection of everything fire related in the city of Davenport dating all the way back to the beginning of the city.  Equipment, pictures, newspaper clippings, clothes, and even a ladder truck are all stored inside.

As curator Glen Thede was showing me around the museum it became very apparent to me how special and important this building and the items inside are to the city of Davenport.  He showed me photos of a time when the DFD was still using horses to pull wagons to fight fires. It's hard to believe that it really wasn't that long ago.

The museum operates solely on donations, and it needs our help. Having been built so long ago it needs money for updates to make sure the valuables inside stay safe for future generations.

Sunday's muster serves a couple of purposes. One is to honor all those that have, will and those that continue to serve this fine city. Two is to help this museum get the donations needed to keep it running. I'm sure I'm not giving it enough justice, but believe me it really is a sight to see.

Come out Sunday, we'd love to see you out for the parade or back at museum in the Village.

The parade begins at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport at 11:30 a.m. and should reach the Village of East Davenport around noon. It's a free event, although donations to the Fire Museum are accepted. Come out Sunday, we'd love to see you out for the parade or back at museum in the Village. Bring the kids and take a look inside the museum. You won't be disappointed.

Here's the parade route:

Check out the Fire Museum Munster, Parade, Music, & Festival event on Facebook.