Get ready for the  annual Candy Cane Parade on Dec. 16 

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The holidays are here and the MD of Taber Regional Fire Chief and his team are hard at work on a beloved tradition. It’s the annual Candy Cane Food Drive. This year it takes place on December 16 at 6 p.m.

Nathan Coté, Municipal District of Taber, Regional Fire Chief, explains that the route winds through the MD, including Grassy Lake, Barnwell, Enchant, Vauxhall, and Hays.

“In each of the communities, our members will be decorating a fire truck or two and will be going door to door wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and handing out candy canes. We will also be collecting non-perishable food items for our food banks located in Taber and Vauxhall,” says Coté.

“Please come on out and see our trucks as we drive through our communities sharing the Christmas spirit. There will be plenty of candy canes, and we would love to collect some donated items for the food banks,” he adds.

It’s always fun and exciting to see the brightly decorated fire trucks roll through the streets. For everyone’s safety, Coté has a few tips.

“As we make our way through the communities, please remain on the sidewalks. We will have members walking who will be along to share some Christmas cheer and hand out the candy canes.”

However, he adds, “If the fire engine is stopped and there is a firefighter nearby, please do not hesitate to talk to them and get a tour of our trucks!”

Coté shares a greeting on behalf of the detachment, along with some photos of last year’s event: “From the members of the MD of Taber Regional Fire Services, we would like to wish everyone a very safe and merry Christmas and holiday season.”