Firefest 2012 coming to downtown Chatham

History will be on display at a brand new event in downtown Chatham on September 22nd, 2012.

Firefest 2012, sponsored by the Downtown Chatham Centre, is a display of antique fire trucks, vintage emergency response vehicles and other fire related items. The idea comes from Chatham-Kent businessman and Event Chair, Brent DeNure, who regularly attends fire truck musters as a hobby.

DeNure’s idea is to give other hobbyists an opportunity (and an excuse) to display their vehicles in a fun environment, while sharing some history with people attending Firefest 2012,

As such, there’s no entry fee for vehicle owners (a rarity) and the event is totally free to the public, from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Organizers of this non-profit event are expecting between 25 and 30 antique fire trucks on display, some dating back to the 1920’s, and some with local service connections. They will be in full working order with sirens blazing, ladders extended and pumpers shooting water.

King Street will be closed for the day between Wellington Street and First Street to accommodate the vehicles and spectators.

Firefest 2012 will also include the Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services fire safety trailer, mascots, food and beverage sales and live fire safety demonstrations.

The event wraps up with a parade of all the vehicles on display starting at 4:00pm. The parade route is Second Street to Wellington East, to William North, to King Street, to Fourth Street, onto Park Street, ending at the OPP station.

Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services are big supporters of FireFest 2012. Speaking at the event’s news conference today at Fire Station #1, Chief Robert Crawford commented:

“The Chatham-Kent Fire Department is pleased to be a partner in the Firefest event. This is a great occasion to gather folks and highlight some of our history through displaying various apparatus. We are also happy to be adding life safety education components to the event. Firefighters will be facilitating the fire safety trailer and other partners, such as Union Gas, EMS and Police, will be contributing safety education opportunities and information as well. ”

Event sponsors include The Downtown Chatham Centre, Entegrus, Union Gas, Blackburn Radio, The Downtown Chatham Business Improvement Association, HUB Creative Group, Blazin’ BBQ Rib House and Wallace-Kent Sprinkler Systems.

The public can get a sneak peak of two antique trucks on display at the Downtown Chatham Centre starting September 10th.