IFA Convention ends; firefighters, area residents share many memories

Rainbows covered the street as firefighters from more than 100 teams competed in water fights.

A rainbow and the reflection of Garrison firefighters covers the street during a water fight.

Hayden Elizabeth Boldt with dad Brad Boldt and grandpa Marv Boldt of Traer.

A hot air balloon sailed over Vinton as the Saturday parade began.

NASCART? Two golf carts were decked out in the paint jobs of famous racers.

Christian Simmons of Independence found some fun things to do at Convention.

Brian Parr carved this tribute which will soon stand in front of the Vinton fire station.

Bowlers marked an Iowa map at Berry's Lanes to show where they live.

One IFA member put on a clown nose under his firemen's helmet for the parade.

A Belle Plaine firefighter rides his department's 122-year-old steamer in the parade.

The Chariton FD brought its horse-drawn steamer.

Vinton residents may remember seeing this aerial truck from Hiawatha during the 9/5/09 Legion fire.

There was lots of laughter and excitement as the Iowa Firefighter's Association members -- nearly 2,500 of them -- gathered in Vinton. There were also a few tears too, as members remembered firefighters who have died in the past year, or who are facing illness.

Here are a few of our favorite photos from this year's event.

Look for more stories about the convention, its competitions, events and participants very soon.

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MN September 8, 2013, 9:14 pm Thanks for hosting this year\'s convention. As a wife of a Monticello fireman, I would like to thank the women who paid for our meal Thursday night at Pizza Hut. There were 7 of us there that night, 5 of them fireman on our dept. She sat on the opposite aide of the restaurant waiting until we ordered & picked up our tab for the entire order, and told the manager to tell us thank you for what we do. WE WANT TO THANK HER for the wonderful gesture, it was an unexpected surprise. God bless & thanks again from Monticello Fire!
Mandy Norton

blg September 9, 2013, 3:26 pm THANK YOU FOR YOUR COVERAGE OF THe IFA CONVENTION. IT WAS 10 TIMES BETTER THAN THE BIG CITY PAPERS WHICH IGNORED IT. THANKS FOR THE TRIBUTE TO CHIEF HITE, IT FIT HIM TO A T.

News : IFA Convention ends; firefighters, area residents share many memories

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