Every year following the Christmas Parade, the Niagara-on-the-Lake District 1 Firefighters Association hosts a family party and barbecue – and this year was no different.

After two years without a normal parade, NOTLers were happy to celebrate the successful day and wind down with some delicious food and good company at the station beside the community centre.

District Chief Dayton Kruitbosch shared the team’s excitement at being able to finally get people together.

“It’s an event that we like to do after the parade to bring the community together, get everybody out and have a good time. It’s nice to be able to do this kind of stuff again.”

Aside from a delicious barbecue lunch including burgers, sausages and hot dogs, attendees could purchase tickets for a turkey raffle, with many taking home a big bird for their holiday dinner. 

The team from Angel’s Rest Dog Rescue came to the family party for the first time this year and Vanessa Mac already secured a turkey. 

“I think everybody wins a turkey,” joked Mike Novarro.

Kruitbosch said that since the party was run by the firefighters association all money raised will be dispersed among projects the group supports.