2004 Hudson-Mohawk Volunteer Firefighter's Association
and
Albany County Volunteer Firefighter's Association Convention

Parade Results Convention Raffle WInners While sitting at the picnic tables of Lanthier’s Grove, eating clams and bar-b-q chicken at the annual Royal Order of Nighthawks outing in 2002, the conversation turned to convention time. Elsmere Fire Co had already agreed to host the 2002 Hudson Mohawk convention. Unfortunately we had to back out. The commissioners of the Elsmere Fire District took an opportunity to go ahead with a total remodeling of the firehouse. The remodeling was not expected to be done in time for the convention. The members of Elsmere had no firehouse at all for quite sometime and responded to a tent in the parking lot. Working out of car trunks the members still responded in full to the tent where the apparatus was being kept. So, with this remodeling taking place, as President of the Fire Co I had no choice but to withdraw our offer to host 2002. As hungry Nighthawks were devouring the clams, the question was asked. Would Elsmere consider hosting the 2004 Hudson Mohawk convention? I took the request back to the Fire Co and the members discussed it at great length. At that time it was decided there was not enough time to prepare for a convention. As time passed the emails and phone calls still came. Are you sure Elsmere won’t consider 2004? Since we had withdrawn from 2002 the convention schedule was off and there was no one stepping up to host 2004. Again I took the suggestion back to the Co members were it was discussed at length once more. A twist was put to us at this time. Albany County did not have a host for 2004 either. The suggestion was made to host both. If we could move the date of Hudson Mohawk to September and host both associations we might be able to do it. Now the ball was back in the association’s court. Both Hudson Mohawk and Albany County agreed to this as well as the members of Elsmere to host both associations’ conventions. A first of its kind event. We have a new building to show off, and the experience to host a convention. We had previously hosted Hudson Mohawk in 1992 and Albany County in 1982. Elsmere members started putting committees together and work began. The cooperation between the associations has been fantastic. Blending the associations together to form 1 set of rules and still identify the associations individually has brought many people together. Everything is going very good and Elsmere promises a great convention. Plan on joining Hudson Mohawk and Albany County Firefighter Associations and Ladies Auxiliary at Elsmere for a first of its kind joint convention September 8-12 2004. -- Steve Wright, 2004 Convention Chairmen Parade Results Parade Information Official Convention Program Raffle Information Hannaford becomes first Corporate Convention Sponsor Ad Book and Fund Raising Effort MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT Listing of Sponsors

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