MIDDLEBURY — The Addison County Firefighters Association will be hosting the 130th Annual Vermont State Firefighters Association (VSFA) Convention in Middlebury on July 19 and 20, 2019. The convention will bring together hundreds of firefighters from across Vermont and neighboring states. The public is encouraged and invited to attend these events. 
The convention will begin with a memorial service to honor fallen firefighters at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 3 Main Street. The service will be held on Friday, July 19, at 5 p.m. The convention will feature fireworks at dusk on Friday, July 19, at Woodchuck Hard Cider on Exchange Street. 
On Saturday, July 20, beginning at 8 a.m., the VSFA will conduct its annual business meeting and election of officers at the Middlebury Union High School, followed by a talk entitled “Ten Commandments for Volunteer Recruitment and Retention” by Tiger Schmittendorf, Chief Recruiter and Vice President for Strategic Services for Public Safety at First Arriving. 
Beginning at noon on July 20, there will be muster games, kids’ games, and equipment demonstrations and vendors at Woodchuck Hard Cider, 1321 Exchange Street, and fire apparatus judging across the street at 1330 Exchange Street. Tours of Woodchuck and Maple Landmark will also be available.