Historic fire trucks and ambulances are displayed at the 2014 FireFest in Chatham. (Photo by Jason Viau)Historic fire trucks and ambulances are displayed at the 2014 FireFest in Chatham. (Photo by Jason Viau)
Chatham

FireFest Continues To Grow

FireFest Chatham-Kent is back for its fourth year, featuring more antique fire trucks than ever before.

The event kicked off on Thursday and Friday with guest appearances from Former NHL goaltender Tim Cheveldae as well as New York City firefighter Jason Carrion and his wife Courtney from the TV show Married At First Sight.

However, the main event runs all day Saturday with 80 to 85 antique fire trucks lining the streets of downtown Chatham.

FireFest co-chair Brent DeNure says there will also be scheduled appearances from vehicles featured in Dukes of Hazard, Starsky and Hutch, and from the movie Backdraft.

"There's a lot of classic car owners but to get these big emergency response vehicles, it's a pretty tough deal, not eveybody has one. We've got them coming from as far away as Chicago this year, down into Ohio, up to Fort Erie." he says. "Whatever we're doing is working and we've been recognized as an event that people want to participate in."

Activities for Firefest on Saturday will also include the Junior F.I.R.E. Challenge Course and a parade of vehicles along Grand Ave. W between Victoria Ave. and Keil Dr. There will also be a screening of the movie Backdraft at the Capitol Theatre, with an opening presentation by retired Chicago fireifighter Mike Kovac.

For a full schedual of events, click here.

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