CHELAN FIRE & RESCUE 100-YEAR CENTENNIAL

APRIL 18, 2026

 Centennial Grand Parade – 10:00 AM | Downtown Chelan

Kick off Chelan Fire & Rescue’s 100-Year Celebration with a grand parade you won’t want to miss!

This spectacular procession features the Spokane Pipes & Drums, 15+ fire trucks, and the region’s impressive Xtreme Tactical Vehicles—the same wildland firefighting rigs our crews rely on every summer.

KOZI Radio will be onsite, bringing the energy with a live broadcast, capturing every unforgettable moment.

And for the ultimate crowd-pleaser… Sparky the Fire Dog is making an appearance! He’ll be joined by a whole team of spotted stars from the Puget Sound Dalmatian Club, leading the celebration with charm and wagging tails.

Get ready for sights, sounds, and hometown pride like never before—this is Chelan’s once-in-a-century parade!

 Chili Cook-Off – “100 Years of Fire & Flavor!” 11:30am-3pm  | Chelan Fire Station

Turn up the heat for Chelan’s most mouthwatering showdown of the century!

Hosted live and Sponsored by KOZI Radio, this sizzling competition brings together more than a dozen local licensed businesses, each battling for the coveted title of Best Chili in Chelan.

Expect bold flavors, secret recipes, hometown pride, and plenty of friendly firehouse spirit. From smoky to spicy to totally unexpected, every pot tells a story—and you get to taste them all.

Bring your appetite, bring your vote, and get ready to crown a champion at this once-in-a-lifetime Centennial Cook-Off!

 End-of-Day Celebration – Vin du Lac Winery 6pm-8pm

Close out the Centennial in true Chelan style at our End-of-Day Celebration—a festive, open-to-the-public gathering at the stunning Vin du Lac Winery.

Enjoy dessert, beverages, community cheer, and the highly anticipated announcement of the Chili Cook-Off Champion.

In a historic moment nearly 100 years in the making, Mayor Erin McCardle will proudly present an official Centennial Proclamation honoring Chelan Fire & Rescue — the first proclamation of its kind since 1926.

It’s the perfect finale to a once-in-a-century celebration. Join us as we toast to tradition, community, and 100 years of incredible service!

Special Thanks to our Sponsors!

List of Annual Events:

• Local Parades – Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day Parades, featuring our restored 1958 GMC Chelan Parade Truck as well as everyone’s favorite firedog mascot, “Sparky”.
• Pancake Breakfast (June) – held annually, this community breakfast takes place on the first Saturday in June at the main Chelan Fire Station.  The Firefighters Association hosts, cooks, and serves breakfast for all, with a $10.00 donation suggested.  All funds raised go to the Firefighters Association general fund.
• Thursday Evening Farmer’s Markets – Summer evening opportunity to offer our  Volunteer T-shirts and Hoodies, along with community-related Fire District handouts, educational materials, and fun kids activities.
• Halloween Evening – fun and favorite Halloween kickoff at the main Chelan Fire Station with candy and hot chocolate for all trick-or-treaters!
• Veteran’s Day Luncheon (November 11) – hosted by the Firefighters Association and local Firefighters Union members, this lunch is offered free to all Veterans and First Responders, with a $10.00 suggested donation to the rest of the community.  All funds raised are donated back to the local Chelan VFW Post.
• Holiday Tree Lighting (last Sat Nov) – community kick-off to the Holiday season, in conjunction with Chelan’s Small Town Holiday Events
• District 7 Awards Banquet (January) – dinner and well-deserved awards for our amazing Chelan District 7 Firefighters!