Mark your Calendars: Fire truck parade returns to Raleigh

This is one of those events that I get emails about every year - the annual fire truck parade that's part of the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo, which comes to Raleigh each year.

The expo offers training, workshops, vendors booths and lots of activities for fire and rescue professionals. The parade, which runs down Fayetteville Street, is a crowd favorite and will draw lots of families.

The parade starts at noon, Aug. 15, and runs from the State Capitol in downtown Raleigh, along Fayetteville Street, and then turns on Davie Street to head to the Raleigh Convention Center.

Dubbed "North Carolina's Main Street Fire Truck Parade," the event will feature both antique and modern apparatus, brought by fire service-related groups.

The expo will give out awards for categories such as best appearing engine and pumper; best appearing aerial; and longest distance traveled. This is not a huge parade, but it's a great free activity for families with fire truck-loving kids.