LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington fire and first responders, community members and special guests enjoyed their Sunday at the Lexington Fire Department's annual Fire Prevention and Wellness Fair. 

Lines grew from the entry nearly to the end of the street as families waited for gates to open to the annual fire prevention fair. 

Lexington fire recruit Claybrook was teaching kids and community members about CPR safety measures. He said like many at the event, he was curious about public safety and could foster his interest with the help of his peers.

Lexington fire recruit Claybrook is helping parents and kids learn about CPR safety. (Spectrum News 1/Sabriel Metcalf)

“When I was a kid, I played with fire trucks and I was very fortunate to have some buddies on the job that kind of help guide me and say, ‘Hey man, we think you might enjoy this,’” Claybrook said. “So I applied and I was very fortunate enough to be in the position that I am.”

The event featured fire hose and bow and arrow training simulators, as well as bouncy houses and more for kids. Several fire trucks were stationed at the end of the park for special rides in both vintage and newer red services trucks.

This is the second most recent year they held the festival at Lexington fairgrounds in Masterson Station Park.

Denise Nave and her family are annual attenders and the first group in line for the gates to open. Supporting friends like local business and first responder themed bar and grille Halligans, she says some of the festival’s key attractions have changed. 

“Usually they have the parade downtown but I think with all that, it was the expense and because of all the violence going on, I don’t think they really wanted to have the parade downtown in case, you know, something happens,” Nave said.

Crowds gathered along stands where firefighters demonstrated fire safety procedures with real car and dormitory fire stimulators. (Spectrum News 1/Sabriel Metcalf)

Recruit Claybrook, who will graduate in the coming weeks, says as a native of this city, he is excited to get into action. 

“I grew up in Lexington, and for me it’s a little bit of a hometown thing for me to serve the community and you know, it’s really cool, I’m sorry, but it’s just really cool to jump on a fire truck and try to go help somebody,” he said with a laugh.

Around the hour, guests could watch car and dorm room fires be put out from a distance or visit tents by local organizations. Along with Lexington’s first responders were safety personnel from neighboring cities.