Around 200 residents from West Brant and beyond took advantage of the Brantford Fire Department’s Hot Summer Nights event at Walter Gretzky Park on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
The fire department has been hosting the event every Tuesday in July since 2017, and it couldn’t have come at a better time given that the city has been under a multi-day heat warning.
“Tonight really is the definition of a hot summer night and so we’re glad to be out here helping the community cool off a bit,” said Teagan Knowles, Fire Safety Educator with the Brantford Fire Department. “We’ve got the aerial truck going, the library is here with some games and we’ve been giving out some freezies as well, so lots of fun stuff happening here.”
Brantford Fire Chief Todd Binkley said that the event is a great opportunity to really connect with the residents.
“We put on five of these events in each of the different wards every summer, and it gives us an opportunity to not only keep the community cool, but it also gives us the chance to engage with them too,” he said.
While attendees of all ages spent the evening laughing, skipping through the fire truck sprinkler, splashing in puddles, or playing on the playground equipment, many were also sure to line up for a chance to win a prize after testing their fire safety knowledge.
“We got some fire safety themed questions happening under our tent here, and we’ve got some really fun prizes that we’re giving away,” said Knowles. “It’s just a great way to get in touch with the families where we can, and give them some tidbits around fire prevention so that they can take it home and keep everybody safe.”
Emily Annis and Karina Miles, two mothers in attendance, said that they try to make it out to each of the five events happening throughout the city.
“I think it’s just nice because it brings everybody together and it gives parents something to do with their kids, especially in this heat,” said Annis. “It’s fun too because they get to play with other kids, but we also get to check out other parks in the city so that’s cool. The only thing I think could make this event even better than it already is, is some sort of hydration station. Just because as a parent, sometimes it’s really hot out and there isn’t always a lot of shade ”
Miles added that the free event is also great for families who are looking to save some money.
“Honestly for low-income families especially, I think this is so great because not everybody has the luxury or the privilege to get to Earl Haig Park or to a splash pad in general,” she said. “So I think having this event coming to all different sorts of neighbourhoods is just so beneficial for all of our communities. Even for the newcomers coming into Brantford, they may not know what’s available or where to take their kids, and so if they see this and come out, that’s just awesome.”
The final Hot Summer Nights will happen on Tuesday, August 5, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Tranquility Park.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
