Fire Fest on tap for Saturday in Kingsville

By Deanna Bertrand

KINGSVILLE – Two bright red vintage fire trucks rolled up to Kingsville’s South Fire Station on Division Road Monday as a preview for the upcoming Fire Fest this Saturday, September 4.

The two trucks each have histories all their own, with one coming from Hanson, Missouri, and being a “small rig with a big personality” and the other from Romulus, Michigan, which was part of several plane crash rescues in the 1980s, according to Fire Fest organizer Brent DeNure.

Pictured are Jeromy Garant, Kingsville fire captain and training and public education officer, Deputy Mayor Gord Queen, Fire Chief John Quennell, Mayor Nelson Santos, and and Fire Fest organizer, Brent DeNure.

Deanna Bertrand photo

They will be joined by between 20 and 30 more vintage fire vehicles on Saturday for the town’s first ever event and parade.

“As we return to normal after almost 18 months of fighting this global pandemic, we certainly have much to be grateful for when it comes to the tireless efforts of our fire department and other emergency service personnel,” said Kingsville Mayor Nelson Santos. “We’re looking forward to paying tribute to this team of frontline heroes and having some fun as a community as well.”

“This community has always demonstrated a great deal of respect for its front-line workers,” said Fire Chief John Quennell. “I’m constantly blown away by the hardworking, courageous and passionate men and women that serve on our Kingsville Fire Department, and Fire Fest gives the public the chance to come out and show their support for this great group.”

Deputy Mayor Gord Queen spoke of Kingsville having a long history with firefighting and having its own department for over 100 years.

Fire Chief John Quennell speaks at a preview of the vintage fire apparatus which will be on display at this Saturday’s Fire Fest.

Deanna Bertrand photo

Kingsville’s downtown core will close at 11 a.m. to accommodate the arrival of the slow roll of fire truck apparatus.

Fire Fest starts at 8 am with a pancake breakfast at Cottam Ridgeview Park Pavilion, hosted by the Department’s North Station. At 11 am, new and antique fire trucks will make their way from Victoria Street to County Road 34, down County Road 29 (Division Road North) to Main Street Kingsville, where vehicles will remain parked until 3 pm for people to take a closer look at the vintage fire apparatus and snap some classic pictures.

The roads will remain closed for Open Streets, which happens each Saturday through the summer from 4 pm – 10:30 pm.

Kingsville Fire & Rescue will also be selling ‘Friends of Kingsville Fire’ t-Shirts on the town’s website. These t-shirts will be delivered right to the purchaser’s home by Kingsville Fire personnel, who will stay and offer a safety check of smoke and CO alarms.

Fire Chief Quennell also said the fire trucks will be on display Friday night at Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village, located at 6155 Arner Townline.

He also encouraged the public to come on out and see the trucks, along with the classic vehicles already housed in the museum.