West Kelowna firefighters will be recognized at a community-organized gratitude event this weekend.
Firefighters will be thanked and celebrated for their efforts and dedication during the August 2023 McDougall Creek wildfire, which saw mass evacuations and nearly 190 properties damaged.
The McDougall Creek and Bush Creek East wildfires are considered BC’s most costly insured event with an estimated $720 million in damage.
The free community event will be held on Saturday, April 27 from 10 am to 4:30 pm at Memorial Park in West Kelowna.
“The Okanagan Wildfire Responders Gratitude Event (OWRGE) will be a joyous, family-friendly occasion, featuring live music, delicious food, special activities, and a formal gratitude ceremony,” says Tom Groat, OWRGE chairperson, in a release issued this week.
“We're thrilled to announce that Jamie Tawil from Global News Okanagan will be serving as the event's Emcee.”
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Here is a full breakdown of the event schedule:
10 am–4:30 pm: Entertainment and family activities
10:30 am–noon: Walk of Heroes and official ceremony.
11:30 am–2:30 pm: Free Barbeque (Sponsored by Evangel/Emmanuel Church)
Noon–4:30 pm: Stage entertainment (Sponsored by Big Steel Box)
The official Gratitude Ceremony will begin at 10:30am with the Walk of Heroes, led by Fire Chief Jason Brolund and the West Kelowna Firefighter Honour Guard.
Dignitary speeches, including representatives from local, provincial, and federal levels, will follow, along with a special Rotarian presentation, the release says.
According to the release, there tentative music schedule will include:
11:45 am: Mount Boucherie Secondary School Band
12:20 pm: Mount Boucherie Secondary School Jazz Band
1:00 pm: Local Recording Artist – Nico and friends
2:00 pm: Local Recording Artist – Andrew Johns
2:45 pm: Local Rock Group - Crisprr
3:40 pm: Local Recording Artist – Nico and friends
Donations for the event are welcome with all proceeds going to the West Kelowna Professional Firefighters Charitable Society.
Groat says volunteers are welcome and more information can be found through this link.
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