Some 300 friends, neighbors and fire department supporters showed up Sept. 12 at Green Acres Park as Western Salisbury Fire Department volunteers hosted food, fun and fire education activities at the department’s seventh annual community day held at the Swain Fire Station.

Inflatable lawn toy activities, face painting, fire hose, fire extinguisher activities and the annual visit by Balloons the Clown kept youngsters, their parents, grandparents and friends scurrying from one activity to the next 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Barbecue and picnic foods provided by Salisbury Township’s Smokin’ Smitty’s Catering were enjoyed under a tent erected just outside the engine bays at the fire station.

When a shower arrived about halfway through the event, organizers were able to make a seamless transition to activities in the engine bays as big lawn toys became an indoor activity center.

The fire safety house owned jointly by WSFD and Eastern Salisbury fire departments helped educate the community about fire awareness and the value of residential home sprinkler systems.

Eastern Salisbury Fire Department volunteers also attended and the ceremonial fire trucks from both departments provided a chance for youngsters to sit at the wheel of a fire truck.

Event organizer Dev Kannan, the fire department’s chief engineer, and a Salisbury Township fire inspector, said the fire volunteers look forward every year to getting to know the department’s neighbors better as well as others from the fire district.

“Additionally, if we can raise anyone’s awareness about the principles of fire safety and how to better prepare for a home emergency, then our efforts are all the more valuable,” Kannan said. See additional photos on page A2.