World’s only Menorah Fire Truck Parade in Gaithersburg

GAITHERSBURG, MD [CHI] — The world’s only Menorah Fire Truck Parade took place this past Monday night in Gaithersburg Maryland.

The Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, in conjunction with Chabad of Upper Montgomery County, paraded through Gaithersburg on Monday, December 22, the second night of Chanukah, The parade included a three foot Menorah perched on the front of Rescue Engine 3, four chief vehicles an ambulance,two fire engines
and a DJ van blaring Chanukah tunes.

The parade drove throughout town handing out dreidels and chocolate Chanukah “Gelt”. “Chanukah is the Festival of Lights,” remarked Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum of Chabad of Upper Montgomery County,and who is also the Chaplain at the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department “this is a wonderful way of spreading the light and joy of the holiday, especially in these trying times.”

At six locations throughout Gaithersburg, crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the fire truck parade. each stop was met with parents and children eager to see the fire trucks. The parade also made a stop at Chabad’s Chanukah Wonderland, a two week center of holiday activities where over 100 people greeted the parade. There were Over 600 people through out the six stops. As the trucks pulled up to each stop Rabbi Tenenbaum handed out Chanukah Gelt and Dreidles, while six bochurim from the Yeshiva in Baltimore danced in the streets with the people.

The parade ended at the Chabad Center on Route 28 where Gaithersburg Council Member Ryan Spiegel lit Chabads nine foot outdoor Menorah, together with Rabbi Sholom Raichik Director of Chabad of Upper Montgomery County . Following the Menorah lighting there was a Chanukah party and the crowd of over 150 people ate the traditional “Latkes” and Jelly Doughnuts.

The parade was arranged in part by Eric Bernard, president of the Fire Dept. and Lenny Chornock, Fire Chief.

Some of the Fire Dept vehicles that took part in the Menorah Fire Truck parade.

People gather in front of the Menorah Fire Truck to take a picture during one of the stops.

Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum giving out Chocolate Chanukah gelt during the Menorah Fire Truck parade.

From L to R, President of the RVFD Eric Bernard, Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum and RVFD Fire Chief Russell Dawson at the Chanukah Party.

Rabbi Sholom Raichik Director of Chabad of Upper Montgomery County, addressing the crowd.

Rabbi Sholom Raichik, helps Gaithersburg Council Member Ryan Spiegel light the menorah.