Al’s
Duck Hunting? Don’t forget Batteries for your gear!
LAWN & GARDEN
Call Now for a Free Quote: Irrigation Systems and Sodded Lawns
www.alslawnandgarden.ca
352-4955
YOUR Independent Community Newspaper
Vol. 5 Edition 39
131 Park Ave. E., Chatham 519-354-4127 batteryboy.ca
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 2017
FREE!
Hot weather, hotter event
come back. A lot will go back to their clubs and promote the idea of FireFFireFest Chatham-Kent est.” With the heat, a particuorganizers are tired, but very happy following a larly well-visited attracbusy weekend in Cha- tion on Saturday was the F.I.R.E. Challenge Course tham and Tilbury. Brent DeNure, who co- for children. With kids chairs the event with Wes spraying two fire hoses Thompson and Keith as part of the challenge, Chinnery, said the bright, many a passerby benefitsunny skies on Saturday ted from a cooling splash were appreciated, as in or two. DeNure said the course the past, FireFests have was a hit suffered with famit h r o u g h “It’s a big effort to put lies. some wet that course up, but it’s “We had weather. worth it when you see several hun“The sun the smiles on all the dred chilwas outstanding,” children going through dren come through D e N u r e it.” over the said. “The - Brent DeNure course of weather, if anything, may have been the day. It was packed all a bit too hot. We wanted day long,” he said. “It’s people to stay hydrated. a big effort to put that Other than that (the heat), course up, but it’s worth it when you see the smiles it was spectacular.” That heat led to a hand- on all the children going ful of owners of vintage through it.” Another big attraction emergency response vehicles from cancelling sat parked in front of the and staying home. DeN- Chatham Capitol Theatre, ure said a couple of other lights flashing, theme rigs didn’t make the trip song and siren blaring, because those vehicles and Ghostbusters team dancing. A replica of Ectocouldn’t take the heat. Otherwise, more than 1, the emergency response 80 fire trucks and other vehicle from the original emergency vehicles were 1984 Ghostbusters movie, on display Saturday in saw people flocking to it. “It was a huge draw. It downtown Chatham as part of the sixth annual had a murmur of energy FireFest. Sixteen of those around it all day long,” vehicles were new to the DeNure said. “Hats off to the three Ghostbusters, event. “It’s the most new par- in their overalls, dancing ticipants we’ve had since and posing in the heat.” With all the attracYear One,” he said. “And these first timers want to tions, DeNure estimatBy Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
Bruce Corcoran/The Chatham Voice
Logan Alexander, 3, with the assistance of volunteer Gioia Greco, puts out a “fire” as part of the F.I.R.E. Challenge Course in front of the Civic Centre on Saturday at FireFest. On a hot day, the wet event was a hit with its young participants, as well as parents who stood nearby and caught the overspray. For additional photos, please see page 20.
ed 12,000-15,000 people strolled through the downtown over the course of the day. “To see the streets filled from 10 a.m. to 4 or 4:30
p.m., it’s very rewarding,” he said. The presence of Ecto-1 led to a new component for FireFest this year, a trip to the drive-in. That
took place Friday night at The Boonies Drive-In near Tilbury, where the original Ghostbusters movie aired free of charge. “We had 160-170 cars
at the drive-in. Just the idea of being out under the stars on a perfect night was outstanding. It worked out well for everyone,” DeNure said.