BATH – The Bath Fire Department will host the 41st annual Maine State Federation of Firefighters Convention on Friday through Sunday, Sept. 17 to 19.

The department chose to host the convention this year in order to celebrate its 200th anniversary. There will be several events for the public, including a large parade consisting of fire apparatus from antique hand tubs to modern equipment, and marching bands at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18.

The second event, a firemen’s muster, will start at 9 a.m. Sunday at Kelley Field on Congress Street. It is a competition of events between competing teams from fire departments across the state.

The evolution of firefighting in Maine will be seen at the parade, with the largest number of antique fire apparatus ever seen in Bath. Local marching bands as well as bands from as far away as Houlton (who will host the 42nd convention) will also participate in the parade.

The first firemen’s muster in 1849 took place in Bath, and the Bath Fire Department with the Kennebec hand tub took first place. The Kennebec will be in the parade.