Black Hawk history shines in Denver’s popular Parade of Lights
Mining town’s antique fire truck a featured part of the mile high city’s holiday tradition
An antique fire truck that served the gold mining town of Black Hawk for decades will be decked out in holiday finery and rolling down the street in this year’s Denver Parade of Lights.
The 1948 Mack fire truck has been painstakingly refurbished and now serves ceremonial parade duty for the City of Black Hawk at events including the National Western Stock Show Parade, Denver’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and the Parade of Lights.
The truck is prepped for parade duty with lights and other decorations, then loaded onto a vehicle transporter and driven to each parade. The fire truck only has about 9,000 miles on it, despite nearly seven decades of service. It was repurchased by the City of Black Hawk after it left its original service with the city, having cycled through several owners and ending up parked in a field.
The truck will be driven in the Parade of Lights by retired Black Hawk Fire Chief Robert Norris.
“I’m proud of my service in Black Hawk and this continued service,” said Norris. “My wife comes with me to the parades and we enjoy doing them together.”
The 1948 Mack is one of two historic fire trucks owned by the City of Black Hawk, along with its original motorized fire truck: a 1938 Chevrolet that replaced hand-drawn hose carts. The City refurbished both trucks to gleaming condition. Neither has heat, so everyone in the classic fire truck will be as bundled up as all the spectators lining the 16th Street Mall on Friday, December 1st at 8 p.m. and Saturday, December 2 at 6 p.m.
Visit DenverParadeofLights.com for information and to purchase Grandstand tickets.
About the City of Black Hawk
Since its first lode gold strike of 1859, Black Hawk continues to preserve the past while preparing for the future. The mission of the City of Black Hawk is to progressively provide cost effective programs and services of the highest quality to the community. During the past 20+ years, more than $1 billion has been invested in land, casinos and related development. Today, Black Hawk is ranked 18th in gaming destinations by American Gaming Association, generating over 85% of Colorado's gaming revenue and hosting more than 20,000 gaming visitors daily.
