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A very important event occurred June 1, 1953. The Litle Silver Firemen's Fair was being held that night. But this was no ordinary Fair, not by any means. the firemen, in open defiance of a State Law prohibiting any and all forms of gambling, had big gaming wheels and dice at the Fair. The Fair was raided and closed down by Monmouth County Prosecutor J. Victor Carton and the State Police. The Asbury Press Headline shouted "Hour's Riot Rages as Fair is Closed". The event caught the interest of Life Magazine and the article with photos that appeared in the June 22, 1953 edition appears here. Also found in that issue of Life were articles on the art of the Italian Liner Andre Doria, which was later involved with a collision with the Stockholm and lost at sea, and Senator Joe (tailgunner) McCarthy's investigation of Whittaker Chambers as part of his controversial Communist conspiracy hearings. Very heavy company to be in the same magazine with.
Most importantly however was that this was a test case for the gambling laws of the State. As it turned out the Grand Jury did not indict the Fire Company. In fact, they made recommendation to change the existing laws to allow games of chance for charitable groups. Because of this action on the part of the Fire Company Bingo, Wheels and raffles are allowed today to be conducted by charitable groups.
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