by Dave Preston
A decades-long tradition will continue this evening as members of the Peachland Fire and Rescue Brigade take to the streets with the lights and sounds of Christmas.
While Peachlanders all across town make last minute preparations for tomorrow’s big day or relax with family and friends, firefighters will be busy decorating their trucks for their annual trek to ring in the arrival of Christmas.
“It’s a Peachland tradition that’s been going on for 30 years,” said Fire Chief Grant Topham.
Firefighters will gather at the fire hall on Third Street to decorate their trucks with Christmas lights at about 5 p.m. By 6 p.m., the trucks will roll out of the hall to begin their journey up and down most Peachland streets.
From far off, the sounds of Christmas carols will be heard, emanating from the brightly decorated fire trucks. As usual, retired chief Don Wilson will take care of playing the music, which is broadcast to each truck, according to Topham.
“The firefighters and staff of Peachland Fire and Rescue Service wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season,” said Topham.
- Excited
- Informed
- Amused
- Bored
- Sad
- Angry
Great job on Christmas Eve. to all the members that gave up their evening to make our town unique.
Very big holidays cheer to all the families of our Brigade. They have to put up with the interruptions of family time for emergencies throughout the year.
All the Best in 2011.
Merry Christmas! one and all.
Thank you for the drive=by last night. We always appreciate you, your music and bright lights… Yes, it does “kick off” the Christmas celebrations in just the right way.
Also, thank-you the the firemans families, for understanding the obligatiion that their family member has by being a volunteer fireman; and for knowing that each and every day AND night —has the potential to be interupted with an emnergy and/or volunteer call out… This constant and continous 24/7 on-call is muchappreciated by all of us in our community.
Merry Christmas!
You Are So Welcome…..
I have been in this town a few years, and been on the the department a few years…
Have done the Christmas eve thing a few times…. But, i have to tell you there is nothing better then spreading the Christmas cheer around town. And kick start my Christmas.
In the olden day’s people used to come out with drinks, candy’s, cookies, but with the economy and the new law’s it is not like it used to be ………….Still never the less we love it, we love our town and the people in it …
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !!!!!
Your volunteer Fire fighters
They just drove past my house an hour ago and I was on the phone with my fiance in Kamloops. She could hear the sounds and was surprised to hear of the tradition. Thank you Peachland Volunteer Firefighters! This town is the best kept secret in the country.
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Our first Christmas in Peachland was in 1997. We had only been here a few months. We knew no one, had no family here and frankly, we felt so very alone.
We tried to make the best of it, but it just wasn’t the same. That Christmas Eve, we heard a sound off in the distance and went outside to investigate. We stood in awe as a brightly lit fire truck slowly passed our house. We smiled. We smiled a lot.
Somehow those trucks coming around that night made it alright. It was so very special and we appreciated it immensely.
Every year we look forward to the magical time when the fire trucks go by. And we remember.
Thank you firefighters. You make our Christmas.
I look forward to this every year. When I tell people in the US about it they can’t believe the fire fighters do this here as they have nothing like it. It’s been something special in our house from the time our kids were small to adults and now their children.
To our guys and gals on the trucks THANK YOU!!!! It is appreciated and so are you….