Vintage fire engines dating back to hand and horse-drawn models will roll into Foundation Park in Pataskala next month, when the Central Ohio Antique Fire Apparatus Association holds its 36th annual Antique Fire Apparatus Muster and Fire Memorabilia Flea Market. The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on September 26, rain or shine, and will unfold alongside the Pataskala Antique Power Show at the same 78-acre park.
According to Westerville Fire 150th on Facebook, which shared the event announcement, the Central Ohio Antique Fire Apparatus Association — abbreviated COAFAA — is teaming up with the Pataskala Antique Power Show 2026 to present what organizers are calling a weekend of antiques. The lineup will include everything from early hand and horse-drawn apparatus to antique motorized and modern fire trucks on display for visitors of all ages. Admission is free, and the event promises ample parking for attendees.
COAFAA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit and serves as the Central Ohio chapter of the national Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America, a network that supported roughly 100 local members as of 2023, according to FINRA filings. The organization has a track record of large public displays, having previously partnered with Ohio's Division of State Fire Marshal to co-host a Fire Expo & Muster at the Ohio Fire Academy in Reynoldsburg that featured more than 80 antique and modern trucks, per historical records from the Ohio Department of Commerce.
A Weekend Built for Two Shows in One Park
Pairing the muster with the Pataskala Antique Power Show means visitors get more than fire trucks. The Summit Station Lions Club's power show typically brings tractor pulls, radio-controlled aircraft demonstrations, craft vendors, and car displays to Foundation Park, according to the group's own event listing on the Lions e-Clubhouse calendar. The Lions Club has hosted the multi-day power show at the park for over a decade, giving the weekend an established rhythm for local families.
Foundation Park itself was established in 1998 through the efforts of the Thomas J. Evans Foundation and spans 78 acres, including 22 acres of woodland, making it Pataskala's primary site for community festivals and recreational events. The park sits embedded in a residential neighborhood off McIntosh Road, connecting nearby subdivisions with rural Licking County roadways.
The muster will also feature a fire memorabilia flea market area, along with food vendors on site. Regional fire apparatus flea markets in Ohio typically restrict vendor sales to fire department and emergency service memorabilia — think vintage badges, helmets, nozzles, uniform patches, and toy models — with vendor setup often beginning as early as 7 a.m., per the Chesapeake Antique Fire Apparatus Association.
Mayor Offers Traffic Guidance for Trailered Rigs
Because the park has two entrances — north and south — and sits within a residential neighborhood, Mayor Michael Compton offered specific guidance for people hauling larger vehicles. He suggested drivers with trailers use the south entrance off Broad Street, and organizers say COAFAA arrows will be posted throughout the neighborhood to point the way. The park's upper parking lot will be reserved for truck display and vendor setup.
Compton was elected to another term as Pataskala's mayor in November 2025 after first taking office in 2014, according to Ballotpedia. Separately, the City of Pataskala opened bidding in July 2026 for a contract to make parking lot improvements at Foundation Park, according to a listing on HigherGov, signaling the city's ongoing investment in the park ahead of heavy autumn visitor traffic.
Pataskala sits in Licking County roughly 20 miles east of downtown Columbus, spans 28.7 square miles, and has grown to a population exceeding 18,000 following its 1996 merger with Lima Township, according to data compiled by Rockford Homes. That growth has helped the city evolve from a small rural center into a regional hub for events like the muster.
Part of a Broader Calendar for Antique Vehicle Fans
The September muster is not COAFAA's only annual gathering. The organization also runs the Buckeye Truck Show at the Hartford Fairgrounds in Croton, which features swap meets and non-judged displays of vintage commercial and emergency vehicles, according to event details from Chrome Shop Mafia. Together, the two events reflect COAFAA's broader calendar of vehicle shows across Central Ohio and its monthly meetings for antique vehicle collectors.
Organizers are directing anyone interested in updates to follow and like COAFAA's Facebook page, or to reach the group directly at [email protected]. With free admission, ample parking, and a companion power show sharing the grounds, the muster is positioned to draw both dedicated fire apparatus collectors and general suburban families out to Foundation Park for the day.
