Crusin' Grand Escondido - Fire Apparatus Night

Several CFE member's rigs joined with other antique fire apparatus from across northern San Diego County to participate in the "Cruisin' Grand - Fire Department Appreciation Night" celebration in Escondido, held Friday evening, May 2, 2003. The streets were filled with strolling people of all ages, while a parade of fire apparatus led other vintage cars and trucks in slowly cruising up and down Grand Avenue in the downtown district. Local Departments who brought vintage rigs were Vista, Fallbrook-North County, Carlsbad, San Pasqual, Valley Center CDF and Escondido. The Fire Department Appreciation Night was coordinated by the Escondido/Valley Center group of CFE members, and included a large display of rigs at the intersection of Grand and Broadway. The California State Firefighters Association's restored 1902 horse-drawn steamer was also on display along with the Escondido Firefighters entry for the San Diego Burn Institute's Firefighters Destruction Derby (to be held June 14th at the Cajon Speedway). The largest participating rig was Jim Corona Jr.'s 1984 Oshkosh P-4 ARFF unit (with Kent Cullom and his video camera sticking out of the top hatch). Of course, most of Mike McDonald's fleet of pristinely restored fire rigs and ambulances were present. The rain held off until after the event concluded, so a good time was had by all.

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	Old Glory flying from Mike McDoanld's 1976 Crown/Maxim tillered aerial truck.		The CSFA Steamer and Blaze the firedog.		Mike McDaonld's 1973 Caddilac/S&S and 1956 Cadillac/Meteor Ambulances
	Darrell Gilbert's 1967 Crown pumper, ex-Lynwood, CA FD		Vista FD's 1953 Kenworth Pumper		Escondido Firefighters Assocation's "Crash for Cash" Derby Car (CFE is a sponsor)
	Fallbrook's 1918 American La France pumper (orginally owned by Glendale FD)		A. Schmidt's 1929 Model A Ford Pick-up, lettered for San Pasqual FD		Escondido's 1926 American La France pumper
	Seguin FD's 1936 Ford		Carlsbad Firefighters Association's 1947 Seagrave pumper		Jim Corona Jr.'s 1984 Oshkosh ARFF
	Mike McDonald's 1959 Crown, ex-Valley Center (originally Los Angeels County FD)		Mike McDoanld's 1956 Ford/Crown Hose Tender, ex-Vernon FD.		Riders ready to cruise onboard Escondido's 1926 American La France
	Vintage fire apparatus crusing up and down both sides of Escondido's Grand Avenue		(L) Mike McDonald's blue 1953 Reo Rescue and (R) 1956 Meteor Cadillac Ambulance		Vintage cars and trucks cruisng alongside the fire apparatus
	Looking back at Jim Corona Jr.'s 1984 Oshkosh (Kent Cullom holding video camera)		Darrell Gilbert's 1967 Crown pumper in the middle of the pack		Mike McDonald at the wheel of his newly restored 1956 Cadillac/Meteor Ambulance
	Rides on Vista's 1953 Kenworth		Riders on Mike McDonald's 1952 Mack		Closeup of the group on the 1952 Mack

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