For over a decade, the grand finale of the 4th of July parade in Downieville has featured the unique and deafening Fireless Fireworks march where rolls of bubble wrap are stomped upon with delight by spectators from near and far.The Fireman's Muster held on Saturday, July 2nd, included several competitions between the local Downieville Fire Protection District and a pick-up squad assembled by U.S. Forest Service: a bucket brigade, a timed disassembly of a rat's nest of hose, the vertical raising of a basketball, and a horizontal (spot-fire) filling of a bucket (see below).The competition at the muster was extremely close and far more exhausting than newcomers to the Downieville Fire Protection District expected. Not surprisingly, the home team of volunteers firefighters edged out by the professionals.The final event during Monday's 4th of July celebration was the Tug-of-War competition.
