Fire Department offers up pre-parade cheer

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue are opening their garage doors to provide holiday cheer and free refreshments to members of the DND community ahead of next weekend’s Celebration of Lights Parade.

Firefighters will serve up hot chocolate, apple cider, and shortbread cookies at the fire hall on Esquimalt Road Sunday, Dec. 3, between 5 and 7 p.m., in conjunction with Esquimalt’s annual Celebration of Lights Christmas Parade. 

The parade begins at 5 p.m. and will proceed easterly along Esquimalt Rd., from Canteen Rd. to the Archie Browning Sports centre.

Organized by the Township of Esquimalt, the parade features dozens of trucks and vehicles from area businesses and community organizations that are all adorned with festive lights and decorations.

Fire and Rescue staff will be busy this week decorating one of their bright red fire trucks to take part in the parade. The parade also includes a contest for Best Decorated Vehicle, which the base firefighters won in 2015 after adorning their vehicle with over 1,000 Christmas lights. 

This year’s event will also include musical performances by jazz and blues singer Maureen Washington and the Rock Heights Middle School Choir, and a special appearance by Santa Clause.

Those attending the parade are asked to bring a non-perishable food item as a donation to local food banks.

For further details about the parade, visit the event webpage http://esquimaltlights.ca