Brenham: Fireman’s Park

Brenham: Fireman’s Park

  • <p>Fireman’s Park Carousel building, WPA construction, 1935. (Larry D. Moore CC BY-SA 3.0)</p> <p>Large, circular building constructed of stone foundation, wood and window walls, and metal roof. Designed to house an historic carousel, built in 1935 by Works Progress Administration</p>
  • <p>Carousel in Fireman’s Park. (TXDOT)</p> <p>Carousel inside a building</p>
  • <p>Maifest airplane float, 1925 (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas-Austin)</p> <p>Parade float shaped like a biplane with four people in the back during the 1925 Maifest celebration</p>
  • <p>Maifest parade, 1929. (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas-Austin)</p> <p>Crowds of people lining the streets of a commerical area to watch a parade with floats diring Maifest of 1929</p>
  • <p>Junior King and queen with attendants, Maifest 1932. (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas-Austin)</p> <p>Group of shildren seated on a tiered stage with two as king and queen at top with an half-circle backdrop with a heart cut in the center, dated May 19, 1932</p>
  • <p>Maifest parade float, 1938. (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas-Austin)</p> <p>Parade float with 5 children seated on top and two dressed as guards in front, dated May 13, 1938</p>
  • <p>Group of young girls dancing around a maypole. (simpleinsomnia/Flickr)</p> <p>Group of girls dancing around a maypole, briding ribbons to the pole. </p>

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The Brenham Volunteer Fire Department sponsored the first Maifest in 1881, and purchased the property now known as Fireman’s Park in 1884. The park features ball fields, an outdoor kitchen, volleyball courts, and several picnic areas. In 1935, the WorksProgress Administration constructed the building that houses a working, antique carousel that dates to about 1900.

Maifest has a tradition of supporting the community. In 1948, funds were raised to build Brenham’s public swimming pool, and today festival profits help to fund a variety of local youth programs.

Fireman's Park