It's an annual tradition that gives kids a chance to cool off in the mist from a fire truck, meet firefighters and participate in fire safety activities.
Hot Summer Nights are back from July 20 to Aug. 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at five Barrie parks.
The event is put on by Barrie Fire and Emergency Service who announced Tuesday it has two new partners in the fun community venture.
One of them is Wendy's.
"There are five Wendy's locations in Barrie and they're partnering with us so Wendy will be at all of our Hot Summer Nights handing out free Frosties," said Barrie Fire's public information officer Samantha Hoffmann.
The restaurant chain has also printed 60,000 place mats with fire safety messages which will be on all trays during July and August.
The other new partner is Public Health, which has a youth group that's involved in smoking cessation.
"These youth are going to come and have interactive activities for families on how to have a smoke-free home," Hoffmann said.
"Smoke free homes goes hand in hand with fire free homes."
Other partners are Georgian College and Dominos Pizza who donates all the proceeds from the pizza sales to Community Projects which allows the fire department to help those most in need in the community.
Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Weber, firefighters and special guests mascots Sparky and Wendy enjoyed Frosties at the official kickoff Tuesday at the Wendy's restaurant on Dunlop Street West.
"Hot Summer Nights is a way that we get to go into the community, teach them fire safety but also to have a lot of fun with community members. We've been doing it since 2012 and when we show up there are kids with bathing suits and towels waiting for us," said Hoffmann.
Hot Summer Nights will take place at the following locations, weather permitting:
- July 20 - Batteaux Park (Ardagh Road/ Batteaux Street)
- July 27 - Sunnidale Park (227 Sunnidale Rd.)
- Aug. 3 - Pringle Park (25 Pringle Dr.)
- Aug. 10 - Hickling Park (211 Johnson St.)
- Aug. 17 - Shear Park (Innisfil Street and Baldwin Lane)
