ALTAMONT — Local fire departments will show their true colors as they host the returning Albany County firefighters’ parade at the Altamont fairgrounds next week.

“It’s kind of a big deal,” said organizer David Dodge of the Albany County Volunteer Firemen’s Association. He said that volunteer fire departments in Guilderland Center, Altamont, and Knox were working together to host the parade.

“We like to do things together,” said Altamont volunteer firefighter Kyle Haines of the three neighboring departments. The county parade took place in Altamont several years ago but had been moved in recent years, he said.

“We wanted to bring it back,” Haines said. “All the volunteer fire departments are invited to display their apparatus and their membership.”

The parade will be held on Aug. 24 and is free to the public. Participating fire departments will be judged on appearances and on their marching, Haines said.

The route kicks off at 4 p.m. and follows that of the Memorial Day parade, beginning at Grand Street, running through Main and Park streets, and into the fairgrounds. The trucks will park in the midway area, Haines said. The public is invited to move into the grove for the awards ceremony and after-party, he said.

Departments will receive awards for their equipment displays and for their marching. Haines said that fire departments that have drum lines are also eligible for awards.

The parade welcomes all volunteer fire departments, Haines said, as well as professional departments that want to participate and share their apparatus. However, only volunteer departments are eligible for awards, he said.

Dodge said that 14 volunteer fire departments have agreed to join the parade.

“The public is encouraged to join us at the after-party. It’s all free. There’s no admission. The food is free,” Haines said.

The fire departments will serve drinks, ice cream, and hot dogs while the band Corner Stone from the Albany area plays after the awards ceremony, he said. The party afterward begins around 6 p.m., he said.