Long-awaited statue, garden unveiling this weekend at firehall

Submitted by Mike MacDonald

A project that has been in the works since 2019 is set to be unveiled to the public this Saturday, Oct. 5, and the entire township is invited to witness the event.

The Uxbridge Firefighters Memorial Committee, in partnership with the Uxbridge-Scott Historical Society, the Uxbridge Firefighters Association and the Township of Uxbridge is hosting the event, which has been months in the planning. Events include a parade, a ceremony and reception, and all will mark the 150 years that there has been some form of a fire fighting unit in Uxbridge.

Beginning at 1:30 p.m., the parade will commence at the Uxbridge Arena and make its way west along Brock Street to the Uxbridge Fire Hall. Participants will be the Uxbridge Legion Pipes and Drums, an Uxbridge Fire Honour Guard, current members of the Uxbridge Fire Department, Uxbridge Fire Department retirees, Uxbridge’s vintage truck, “Betsy,” Uxbridge fire trucks, firefighters from neighbouring departments (Ajax, Brock, Scarborough, Whitby, Georgina, Whitchurch-Stouffville, etc.), and vintage apparatus from neighbouring departments.

Once the parade arrives at the fire hall, a formal ceremony will take place. The program will honouring 150 years of firefighting service to the community, and include the unveiling of the memorial statue.

Following the unveiling will be a reception, also at the fire hall. Refreshments will be served, and historic exhibits sharing the history of Uxbridge Fire will be on display. The Uxbridge Fire Brigade, now operating as the Uxbridge Fire Department, has a long and rich history of service to the community, and this anniversary year provides us the opportunity to honour the history of the Uxbridge Fire Department; to honour the service of the members who served, and those who continue to serve; to honour those who have died in the line of duty; and to honour those who have died while in active service.