Photos by Jeff Baughan Parkersburg Public Works Director Jerry Edman shows off the fire department’s vintage fire truck. The truck’s engine was donated by Parkersburg Utility Board.

PARKERSBURG — A formerly defunct vintage fire truck maintained by the Parkersburg Fire Department will drive in the Christmas Parade, thanks to a new engine donated by Parkersburg Utility Board. The 1931 American LaFrance fire truck had long been used in city parades until its 12-cyclinder engine broke several years ago. “It’s been out of service for a while now, and a brand new engine would have cost thousands of dollars,” said Parkersburg Mayor Bob Newell. “We’ve basically been waiting around for a working engine.” Last month, the utility board retired an old truck and decided to donate the working engine to the fire department. The vintage fire truck’s 2,400 pound, 12-cylinder engine was hauled to the fire department’s service station on Camden Avenue for safe-keeping, and the functional engine from the retired utility truck was installed. “Now that it’s in better shape, we’ll use the truck in parades again, and perhaps in other events. The kids just love it,” said Newel.