Berlin Fire Company legends Harry Trimble, Joe Pylypczuk and Charlie Townsend are pictured participating in the MSFA parade in June.

By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(Oct. 29, 2026) The Maryland State Firefighter’s Association is bringing its annual fire company parade back to Berlin after what organizers say was a successful first year.

This past June, fire departments from across Maryland flocked to downtown Berlin for the MSFA parade. The companies traveled through town on fire trucks and fire prevention floats to celebrate the state’s first responders.

With Berlin Town Council approval this week, the firefighters parade will return next year on Saturday, June 19. This date coincides with association’s annual week-long convention in Ocean City.

Like the convention, the firefighter parade used to be held in Ocean City every year. However, in 2026, the procession moved to Berlin to encourage additional fire company participation.

MSFA Convention and Conference Chair Robbie Blackiston said that while every Maryland company is invited, attendance has declined significantly over the past five years. Blackiston added the event used to run for roughly four hours, but the 2025 event lasted only 55 minutes.

Organizers said the reduced turnout was due to the parade being held on a Wednesday in June, when firefighters couldn’t take time off work during the week. MSFA initially asked Ocean City to move the parade to a weekend, but the resort declined, citing logistical issues with the start of the tourist season.

As a result, Berlin was selected as the new venue in January, and the parade was held on Saturday, June 20.

MSFA representatives said that the event was a success.

“You guys pulled out the red carpet for us and we really appreciate it,” Blackiston told the Berlin mayor and Town Council this week. “…We’re still talking about it.”

Councilman Jay Knerr noted that this summer’s event was well-attended and drew first responders from areas he hadn’t even heard of before.

“It was truly an amazing parade, I saw trucks from towns that I didn’t even know,” he said.

The council unanimously approved the 2027 parade.

The only change for next year’s show will be the location of the Touch-A-Truck event.

During the 2026 parade, organizers kicked off the festival with a morning Touch-A-Truck, allowing kids to interact with the fire apparatus. The addition also encouraged families to arrive early and support Berlin businesses.

This time, Touch-A-Truck will move from the lot next to Sterling Tavern to the Town of Berlin Veterans Memorial. Leaders are also partnering with the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum to create a historical fire information and prevention display, which the location change will make easier, as the Taylor House is next door to the war memorial.

When the event gets closer, MSFA will launch a webpage and Facebook account to push out important parade information and updates.