High River's Fire Dept Gala lit up the Highwood Centre

The first High River Fire Department gala in 10 years lit up the Highwood Centre on Saturday night.

Guest speaker Grant Rinas addressed the audience to get the evening underway. (Photo: Walter Tychnowicz)

There was a live auction hosted by a member of the band Haggis, who performed for the crowd too, fantastic food and some scholarships handed out.

Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsae Petrovic followed guest speaker Grant Rinas. (Photo: Walter Tychnowicz)

Vicky Bolton, Treasurer with the High River Fire Brigade, organized the event and said they also handed out retirement service awards including her own.

"I actually got my retirement award for 12 years. And then Wade Edwards [22 years], and Sameer Shakya [16 years], and J.W. McKenna [11 years].

McKenna was unable to attend.

High River Firefighter Dean Vincent after ringing the bell for a moment of silence to honour fallen firefighters. (Photo: Walter Tychnowicz)

Bolton added that her retirement was last year but since they didn't have a gala, she could not receive one and then got asked to bring the gala back and organize it.

"So, we've been wanting to bring it back for the last few years, but things have been busy. And then my son joined in the fire cadet program here in town.  They basically approached me and said 'Hey, would you arrange this event?' That was last October, and I agreed to start handling it."

ATCO also gave out a $1000 student scholarship and the High River Fire Brigade gave two $500 scholarships.

High River Fire Chief Cody Zebedee (Photo: Walter Tychnowicz)