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Enjoy this curated selection of theme-related dances for celebrations and holidays, or find a dance associated with a special calendar day, or EVEN your own birthday!
Currier & Ives "Life of a Fireman" 1866 Steam Engine Vintage Color Lithograph Art Print 1955
May 4
Firefighters' Day
Fire Hose Reel
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"First in, last out!"
Reel it in and remember your local Firefighters! Firefighting has evolved from bucket brigades in ancient Rome to the highly trained emergency services of today. Observed on May 4, International Firefighters’ Day honors their courage and service on the feast day of Saint Florian, the patron saint of firefighters (and chimney sweeps) —often marked by wearing a red and blue ribbon to symbolize fire and water.
This cheerful reel was devised in 2010 during the late Queen’s Birthday Weekend School at Ototohanga, in the North Island of New Zealand, where a bit of accidental signage turned into lasting inspiration. During the Saturday evening dance, the program was posted on the wall directly above a fire hose, and the label “Fire Hose Reel” appeared—quite convincingly—as if it were the final dance of the evening. The unintended joke proved too good to ignore, and from it came a dance that playfully echoes its origin: “hoses” suggested through reels of three and flowing castings, all gathered into a circular formation to evoke the hose reel itself.
Famous firefighters in fiction include Fireman Sam, the ever-reliable hero of the long-running British animated series that first aired in 1987, known for his calm competence and community spirit in the fictional village of Pontypandy. And across the Pacific, Smokey Bear has been reminding generations since 1944 that “Only you can prevent forest fires,” becoming one of the most recognizable public service icons in American history!
Smokey's message may need some updating, but "bear" this in mind and thank you firefighters! 🕺 💃 ❤️ 💙 🔥 🔥 🔥 🚒 🚒 🚒 🧑🚒
Fire Hose Reel
International FireFighters' Day, May 4, is a day to thank all firefighters for their extraordinary commitment, exceptional courage and for their selflessness in helping protect us and our environment.
Saint Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, is also another symbolic element to International Fire Fighters Day. St. Florian was a patron from Noricum, Rome in 300 AD, who was said to be one of the first commanding fire fighters of an actual battalion. As legend states, St. Florian saved an entire village engulfed in flames using just a single bucket of water. Legend also states, because of this act St. Florian is known as the protector of those who have come in danger of fire. The duties St. Florian performed for his province are the same duties that fire fighters around the world perform every day—with the same dedication and braveries. On May 4, St. Florian is globally recognized and honored and is also known as the day of St. Florian. Therefore, International Fire Fighters Day was chosen to be honored on May 4 in honor of the saint.
Want to see an episode of Fireman Sam? Click Sam below!
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
