Dancing firefighters raise $21,000

Photo: Contributed - Kelowna Falcons

The future of fire fighting tries on the gear at the third annual fundraiser.

The crowd at Elks Stadium was treated to fireworks, a marching band and even dancing firefighters at the third Annual Firefighters' Night on Thursday.

The Kelowna Falcons hosted the event, donating all ticket sales and sponsorship money to the Professional Firefighters Charitable Society to assist with the BC Firefighters Burn Fund.

The Society represents104 fire suppression personnel, five who work in fire prevention, two training officers, two clerical employees and two administrators.

Over $21,000 was raised on Thursday night, bringing the three year total to over $71,000.

The evening concluded with Calgary’s “Marching Ghosts” performing, as well as an impressive fireworks display. The Marching Ghosts are the only remaining high school marching band program in Calgary.

The game itself saw the Falcons fall to the Yakima Pippins 6-1, pushing their losing streak to three.

The Pippins got to Falcons starter Jeremy Alderman early, scoring four times in just 2.1 innings. It was a lead the offence could not overcome, resulting in Alderman’s second loss of the summer.

The Falcons bats remained quiet, collecting just four hits as Scotland Church, Nick Minteer, Colton Waltner and Jerod Smith each tallied a single.

The lone Falcons run was scored on an RBI single by Church that plated Smith in the sixth inning.

Next up for the Falcons (6-12) is a six game road trip that makes stops in Bellingham to face the Bells (9-5) starting Friday and the Bend Elks (9-10) on Monday.

The next home game for the Falcons comes up July 4 when they host their arch rivals, the Wenatchee Applesox.