Collinsville Jamboree Returns

CANTON – After a three-year hiatus and a rainy start Wednesday evening, the Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department Inc.’s Collinsville Jamboree was in full swing Thursday night.

The event, which features rides from Cheshire-based Tufano amusements, games for all ages, food, a beer garden, and more, continues from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday night, May 26 and 27.

Friday is fireworks night and new this year is live music on Saturday night with popular local band Driving Iris. The band plays 7 to 10 p.m.

“Were trying new things,” said Ryan Kerr, who co-chaired this year’s event along with Stevie Juliano.

The Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department Inc. is a private non-profit that supports the town of Canton Fire & EMS. Last year, the corporation funded battery powered extrication equipment worth approximately $50,000, Kerr said.

The jamboree was started in the mid 1960s, when the Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department incorporated, said Willi Matava, president of the non-profit.

At that time it was a separate department and it started with the closing of the famed Collins Co. factory.

“The members of the Collins Company Fire Brigade said we’re going to form the Collinsville Fire Department in 1966 and then they said so what can we do to raise some money? They came up with the jamboree – not the carnival but the jamboree,” Matava said.

The event takes place at Memorial Field, 91 Powder Mill Road, Canton. Entry is free and $30 ride bracelets are available each night. Food and drink choices are available at various price points.

– John Fitts

Brantley Perry, 4, takes aim at the jamboree.

Bryce Devost of Bristol at the David Leff Dime Pitch, named in honor of the late David K. Leff of Collinsville, who, among many other pursuits, was a long-time fire safety officer for Canton Fire and EMS. In background is William Volovski, another former fire department officer who served alongside Leff and was his dime pitch cohort.

Mitchell Arel of Harwinton, Charles Paradise of Avon and Bryce Devost of Bristol at the David Leff Dime Pitch, named in honor of the late David K. Leff of Collinsville, who, among many other pursuits, was a long-time fire safety officer for Canton Fire and EMS.

Nathan Robles, 9, lands one in the Fish Pond Game