A County-wide Celebration of Fire, EMS, Rescue, Towing, Public Safety, and Community Service
Jefferson County’s biggest public-safety celebration is back. On Saturday, September 26, 2026,
fire departments, ambulance districts, rescue organizations, towing companies, apparatus owners, vendors,
and thousands of residents will gather in Herculaneum for the 32nd Annual Jefferson County Fire Engine Rally.
This beloved event showcases the pride, heritage, and readiness of Jefferson County’s emergency services —
and this year’s rally is shaping up to be the largest yet.
Kick Off the Day With the Fire Engine Rally Parade
The morning begins with a county-wide parade featuring modern apparatus, antique rigs, EMS units, rescue trucks,
tow vehicles, and specialty equipment from across the region.
“Whether you’re bringing a shining new engine, a hard-working rescue rig, an ambulance, a tow truck,
or a beautifully restored antique, we would love to have you roll with us.”
— Jefferson County Fire Fighters Association Invitation Letter
Parade Details
- Line-Up: 8:00 AM
- Location: 1030 St. Pius Drive, Crystal City, MO 63028
- Parade Begins: 9:00 AM sharp
- Route: Highway 61/67
- Destination: William C. Haggard Park, 776 Joachim Avenue, Herculaneum
- Opening Ceremony: 10:00 AM
There is no cost to participate, and no parade experience is required.
Bring Your Apparatus and Join the Parade
Fire departments, EMS agencies, rescue squads, towing and recovery companies, and private apparatus owners
are invited to enter their vehicles in the parade. Eligible entries include:
- Fire engines & pumpers
- Aerial apparatus
- Tankers
- Rescue apparatus
- Brush & ground-cover units
- Ambulances & EMS vehicles
- Tow & recovery trucks
- Antique & heritage apparatus
- Specialty or public-safety vehicles
How to Enter
- Email glennnivens@att.net.
- Provide department or organization name, apparatus type, year manufactured, owner, and city/state.
- Arrive at the line-up area at 8:00 AM on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
- Be ready for the parade to begin promptly at 9:00 AM.
Apparatus Contact:
Phone: 314-630-5303
Email: glennnivens@att.net
Apparatus Awards
Following the parade, apparatus will be judged and recognized in multiple categories:
- Farthest Traveled
- Best Overall Antique
- Best Overall Current Apparatus
- Best Overall EMS Apparatus
- Best Pumper Apparatus
- Oldest Apparatus in Service
- Judges Award
- Best Lettering / Detail
- Best Overall Rescue Apparatus
- Best Overall Ground Cover Apparatus
- Best Aerial Apparatus
- Best Tanker Apparatus
- Heritage Apparatus Award
Become a Vendor or Exhibitor
Food trucks, craft vendors, artists, makers, merchandise sellers, and community organizations are invited to participate in:
- The Fire Engine Rally
- The Herculaneum Fall Festival
- Both events
Vendor Setup Options
- Food truck
- Trailer
- One or more 10×10 booths
Vendor Fees
- $50 — Sales & food vendors
- $20 — Informational, non-sales exhibitors
Checks should be made payable to City of Herculaneum.
How to Apply
- Download the Vendor / Exhibitor Application:
Download Vendor / Exhibitor Application (DOCX)
- Select the Fire Engine Rally, Fall Festival, or both events.
- Complete the business and contact information.
- Identify whether the setup is a food truck, trailer, or booth.
- List the number of 10-foot by 10-foot booths needed.
- Describe the products, food, merchandise, or information being offered.
- List any special requirements.
- Sign and date the application.
- Email the completed application to kplouder@cityofherculaneum.gov.
- Mail the application and payment to:
City of Herculaneum
1 Parkwood Court
Herculaneum, Missouri 63048
Vendor Contact:
Email: kplouder@cityofherculaneum.gov
Support the Rally & Fall Festival Through Program Advertising
Businesses, organizations, community groups, and individual supporters can help make the Jefferson County Fire Engine Rally
and Herculaneum Fall Festival successful by purchasing advertising in the official rally program.
The complimentary program is planned to include:
- Rally history and historical information
- Information about Jefferson County fire departments and ambulance districts
- The event itinerary
- Grand Marshal and Junior Grand Marshal profiles
- Past association award recipients
- Past Grand Marshals
- A tribute to local firefighters who passed away during the preceding year
The rally committee plans to print 500 copies for distribution at the event. Sponsors are also expected to receive
stage recognition at both the Fire Engine Rally and the Herculaneum Fall Festival.
Advertising Options
Download Advertiser Application (DOCX)
| Ad Size | Dimensions | Black & White | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter Page | 2.5″ × 4″ | $75 | N/A |
| Half Page | 4″ × 5″ | $125 | $175 |
| Full Page | 5″ × 8″ | $200 | $250 |
Advertising Contact:
Chris Baker
President, Jefferson County Fire Fighters Association
Email: cbaker@cityofherculaneum.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to enter an apparatus?
No. The apparatus invitation states that there is no cost to participate.
Do we need previous parade experience?
No. Previous parade experience is not required.
Can an ambulance district participate?
Yes. Ambulance districts and EMS apparatus are specifically invited.
Can a towing company enter a vehicle?
Yes. Towing companies and tow trucks are included in the invitation.
Can a private owner bring an antique apparatus?
Yes. Restored antique apparatus are welcome. Owners should contact Glenn Nivens to confirm the vehicle and line-up arrangements.
Can vendors participate in both events?
Yes. Vendors may select the Fire Engine Rally, the Fall Festival, or both.
What are the vendor fees?
Sales and food vendors are $50. Informational, non-sales exhibitors are $20.
Where should vendor payments be sent?
Payments should be made payable to the City of Herculaneum and mailed to:
1 Parkwood Court, Herculaneum, Missouri 63048.
Contact Information
Apparatus and Parade Participation
Glenn Nivens
Phone: 314-630-5303
Email: glennnivens@att.net
Vendor Registration
City of Herculaneum
Email: kplouder@cityofherculaneum.gov
Address: 1 Parkwood Court, Herculaneum, Missouri 63048
Sponsorship and Program Advertising
Chris Baker
President, Jefferson County Fire Fighters Association
Email: cbaker@cityofherculaneum.gov
Be Part of This Jefferson County Tradition
Whether you are entering an apparatus, representing your department, serving food, displaying handmade merchandise,
sharing community information, or supporting the official rally program, we invite you to be part of the
2026 Jefferson County Fire Engine Rally and Herculaneum Fall Festival.
