It’s all about the challenges at this year’s edition of the Chatham-Kent FireFest.
Officials of the fourth annual event today revealed two new events designed to increase participation in what has become the biggest celebration of its kind in Canada.
There will be an emergency services challenge in which members from fire, ambulance and police will compete to see which 10-person team can use a rope to pull a fire truck 10 feet.
Chatham Mazda from Chatham Voice on Vimeo.
That competition is being opened to members of the general public who can get more information at FireFest.ca
Children will have their own chance to see what it’s like to be a firefighter through the Junior F.I.R.E (First Incident Response Experience) Challenge.
The event will allow participants to do a balance test, a sprint through pylons, aiming and shooting water at a target, climbing through a house and dragging a dummy across the finish line.
Last year’s event attracted 68 emergency vehicles and this year’s registration has already surpassed that level.
The antique vehicles will be on display Sept. 19 on King and Fourth streets.
Chairman Brent DeNure said the goal each year is to keep the event fresh by bringing in new vehicles and activities.
“There will be antique emergency response vehicles which haven’t been here before,” he said. “And the challenges will make for a fun day.”
For the first time, FireFest is a three-day event with a First Flame meet and greet Thursday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Rossini’s Restaurant.
The event features New York Fire Department member Jason Carrion and his wife Cortney Hendrix who are starring in the Married at First Sight television show.
Also on hand will be former Detroit Red Wings goaltender and current firefighter Tim Cheveldae.
Friday will feature “Friday Night Lights” with a number of vintage fire trucks on Thames Street at Third Street with their lights on.
Saturday begins with the fire challenges and bucket truck rides at 10 a.m.
Tours of Fire Station One at King and Third streets will begin at 10:30 a.m., and an auto extrication demonstration will be held.
At 11 a.m., there will be a presentation of the evolution of the fire engine at the Capitol Theatre, and at 1 p.m. the movie Backdraft will be shown at the theatre.
The cost of admission will be a non-perishable food item for the Chatham-Kent Outreach for Hunger.
Demonstrations of the “Backdraft 17” pumper will be held at the Thames River at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
A forcible entry demonstration will be held at 2 p.m., and at 4 p.m. a parade of vehicles will take place along Grand Avenue between Victoria Avenue and Keil Drive.
