Hosted by Protection Hose Company #1, the popular event features talented Zumba instructors from around the region performing dance moves on stage, alongside about a dozen or so Thorold Station 1 volunteer firefighters.
Oh, and the men are topless.
While the firefighters remain fully-clothed for all of the other charities they sponsor—from local youth sport programs to struggling families at Christmas—they’ve found that dancing around provocatively in their bottom bunker gear to be a surprisingly successful formula for fundraising.
When Danielle Ervin first approached her fellow firefighters about doing Zumba as a fun way to raise money for Community Care, their response was lukewarm.
“They were like, ‘Really? You want us to dance’?” she told ThoroldNews.
“But they said they would try.”
That was seven years ago, and Fire on the Floor has become so popular each year that hundreds of people buy tickets to watch the sexy stage show, and dance along to the upbeat music.
Last year’s event raised about $2,000 for Community Care, stated Ervin, and she augmented the proceeds by selling bottled water as well as T-shirts.
“They were a hit,” she said, so this year shirts will be available to pre-order, so participants can wear them to the event.
“Everyone will look amazing in their Zumba wear with our Fire on the Dance Floor logo. If you’ve never been, you don’t know what you’re missing.”
The event takes place Friday, April 26, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Holy Rosary Hall. Tickets cost $10 in advance; $15 at the door, and will feature “loads of” raffle prizes.
For tickets and information about pre-ordering T-shirts, contact Ervin by email at: [email protected]
