Throughout the early centuries, fires would rage in growing wooden-structured urban communities across the United States.
Over the years, fire departments would begin with bucket brigades, pump, and eventually steam engines. But, as costly as fires are, the resources to fight them are as well. The Thibodaux Firemenâs Fair and Parade began both as revelry and a way to fund the fire department. Itâs believed to be the oldest continuous parade in the country. âMy familyâs involvement is not different than the history of a lot of families in Thibodaux. My great-great-grandfather was a captain of the Thibodaux Fire Department No. 1 and the Protective Fire Company No. 2, of which I am a member, and was formed in 1867. There has been a member of my family in it since it started.â