Lights & Sirens — Saturday, August 1, 2026
TheParade
The closing night of the Rush Fire Department Carnival ends the only right way: lights blazing, sirens howling, and Rush Mendon Road lined with neighbors watching marching bands, fire apparatus, and community groups roll past. Saturday, August 1 — step-off 5:30 PM.
Rush Mendon Rd, Rush, NY — Step-off 5:30 PM sharp · Staging one hour prior
Saturday
August 1
2026
Step-off
5:30 PM Sharp
Staging 4:30 PM — 1 hr prior
Rush
Mendon Rd
Through the hamlet
Free
to Watch
Line the route
Spectator guide
What to expect
The Rush Fire Department Parade draws visiting departments from across Monroe County and beyond — polished rigs, dress uniforms, and enough chrome to light up an August evening. This is a fire-service and community parade, run as a showcase of the volunteer tradition that keeps Rush protected.
Fire Apparatus & Visiting Departments
Departments from across the region bring their best apparatus in dress condition — pumpers, ladder trucks, brush rigs, and more. A true showcase of the volunteer fire service in action.
Marching Bands
Marching bands fill the route with music — an essential part of any parade and one of the things spectators remember most. Expect more than one.
Community Businesses & Groups
Local businesses, civic organizations, and community groups round out the parade. A chance for the whole Town of Rush to show up together.
Safety Note — No Throwing From Units
For the safety of spectators, nothing is thrown from any parade unit — no candy, no giveaways, no items of any kind. Please keep children back from the curb edge while units are passing.
About the parade
A fire-service & community tradition
The Rush Fire Department Parade welcomes fire departments and community groups, elected officials serving the Town of Rush, the Rush Democrat Group, and the Rush Republican Group. Marching bands and community businesses round out the lineup.
To keep it a fire-service and community parade, individual political candidates participate through their party group — not independently. Full entry rules and registration are on this page; contact the Parade Committee with any questions.
Spectator tips
How to watch
- Arrive early — good curbside spots along Rush Mendon Rd fill up before the 5:30 PM step-off
- Bring lawn chairs or blankets for longer waits
- Keep children back from the curb edge while apparatus is passing
- Remember — nothing is thrown from parade units, by department policy
- After the parade, the carnival midway reopens at the grounds
Who can march
Parade Rules
& Entry
The Rush Fire Department Parade is a fire-service and community parade. All of the following are welcome to participate:
Fire Departments & Community Groups
Fire departments and community groups without political affiliation. All apparatus welcome — operational, reserve, and antique. Dress uniform encouraged.
Elected Officials Serving the Town of Rush
Elected officials currently serving the Town of Rush are welcome to participate.
Rush Democrat Group & Rush Republican Group
The Rush Democrat Group and the Rush Republican Group are welcome as community organizations.
Marching Bands
Marching bands are a core part of this parade. Contact the Parade Committee to register and receive a staging assignment.
Parade Rules — All Participants
Individual Candidates Do Not March Independently
To keep this a fire-service and community parade, individual political candidates may not march on their own. They participate through their party group — the Rush Democrat Group or Rush Republican Group — not independently.
Nothing Thrown From Any Unit
Nothing is thrown from any parade unit — no candy, no giveaways, no items of any kind. This is a safety rule and applies to every unit without exception.
Register via the Form Below
All units must register using the 2026 Parade registration form. Questions? Email the Parade Committee directly.
Register a unit
2026 Parade Registration
Use the form below to register your unit for the 2026 Rush Fire Department Parade. For questions, email the Parade Committee directly — include your organization name, unit type, and a contact name and phone number.
Safety — No Throwing
By department policy, nothing is thrown from any parade unit. Spectators — please keep children back from the curb edge while apparatus is passing.
August 1, 2026 — 5:30 PM
Parade Lineup
Shown below is the most-recent example lineup. The 2026 lineup will be posted here before parade day.
Staging: Route 15A & Rush West Rush Rd
Staging: Route 15A between Park Ln & Lehigh St (not on Lehigh St)
Division 2 entries beyond position 14 are illustrative — the 2026 lineup will be posted before parade day.
Want your unit in the lineup?
Register using the 2026 Parade form — or email the committee with questions.
5:30 PM. August 1.
Rush Mendon Road.
Line the curb. Watch the apparatus roll. Then head back to the carnival.