CK Mayor Darrin Canniff and FireFest organizers pose for a photo following an announcement of the event's schedule in Chatham-Kent, September 5, 2019. (Photo by Paul Pedro)CK Mayor Darrin Canniff and FireFest organizers pose for a photo following an announcement of the event's schedule in Chatham-Kent, September 5, 2019. (Photo by Paul Pedro)
Chatham

FireFest's return being taken to 'the next level'

With more than 100 antique fire trucks and emergency vehicles headed to Chatham-Kent, a local event that was once slated to be cancelled is now thriving.

Chatham-Kent's FireFest kicks off on September 21 and it will feature a number of historically significant vehicles that will pack downtown Chatham, including the first motorized ambulance used by the Detroit Fire Department and the Detroit Fire Department's Memorial Rig – both of which will be displayed in Canada for the first time.  The vehicles will also lead a parade along King Street, Riverview Drive and Keil Drive starting at 4 p.m.

"We're taking this to the next level. We're doing things that we've never done before," said organizer Brent DeNure, who added that this year's festival will be celebrating the Detroit Fire Department.

In addition to the emergency vehicles lining the streets, two firefighting documentaries will also be screened at the River Rock throughout the day, and several fire safety demonstrations will be conducted at the King Street fire station. Activities will also be held for children at the Civic Centre, including face painting and Stan the Magical Fireman.

Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff said it will be one of the biggest events of its kind in North America, and it's expected to attract over 10,000 people.

"This is one of many events that we need to have in Chatham-Kent that brings the community together. It's a world-class event coming together," he said.

The event, which has become an annual staple in downtown Chatham, was almost cancelled for this year after the hours organizing and a lack of funding took a toll on volunteers. However, a number of legislative changes municipally have made it easier for the organizers to operate in the municipality.

Canniff said the municipality was able to cut a lot of the red tape that was making it difficult for the volunteers to organize the event.

"We eliminated those obstacles. We brought in, basically, a concierge service. We said work with [the organizers] to say 'what do you need?'" Canniff said. "Somebody in the municipality looked after all of that. Rather than having him go to six different departments, we looked after that."

DeNure said thanks to the help from CK's mayor and the municipality, he exects to continue organizing FireFest for years to come.

"With the new energy that's been introduced, it would be foolish to just make this a one and out," he said. "I've already got 20 ideas for 2020, 2021 and 2022. So we're two-three years out for ideas and I'm prepared to stick around for a while."

Some of the featured fire engines that will appear at FireFest this year include:

  • 1925 American LaFrance Type 31 Ladder Truck
  • 1925 American LaFrance Type 75
  • 1947 American LaFrance
  • 1948 International LaFrance/Thibault Tiller
  • 1955 FWD/Thibault Airport Pumper
  • 1957 Fargo Salvage Truck
  • 1966 Seagrave Tractor Drawn Aerial
  • 1978 Dodge-Hamerly Mini-Attack Pumper
  • 1988 Ford/Hub Pumper
  • 1988 Mack CF – FDNY 1,000 GPM Pumper

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