On Sept. 7 2013, at the Eagle Creek Fairgrounds in 亚洲天堂 Lake, the United Way of Northern B.C. will be hosting the first fire truck pull contest ever during the Lakes District Fall Fair and Music Festival.

The 亚洲天堂 Lake Fire and Rescue Department is hosting the event. Their new fire engine - Engine No. 1 - will be buffed up and ready to roll.

The truck will weigh in at about 15 metric tonnes - that鈥檚 more than 33,000 pounds - after it鈥檚 drained of the 3800 kgs of water it usually hauls.  Teams of up to ten members will take turns to line up with a 100 ft, 1 1/4鈥� nylon rope attached to the truck鈥檚 tow hooks, and pull.

The team quickest over the finish line will be the winner of the first annual event.

Jim McBride, Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake director of protective services and fire chief is hoping the event will become the first of many, although teams have been slow to take up the challenge.

鈥淚 called the Houston volunteer fire department and threw down the gauntlet,鈥� said McBride. 鈥淚 said, Are you ladies coming up for the competition?鈥�

For the record, McBride expects to have at least one female member of the 亚洲天堂 Lake volunteer fire fighters on his team, and he鈥檚 glad to have her. She could give any man on his squad a run for his money, he said.

The Houston Fire and Rescue Department hasn鈥檛 confirmed yet that it feels strong enough to take on the 亚洲天堂 Lake fire crew.  A few local businesses have expressed interest. As of Aug. 26 the 亚洲天堂 Lake Rotary Club, the 亚洲天堂 Lake Fire and Rescue Department, the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake, and Lakes District Fitness have all committed to fielding a team.

The deadline for registration is Sept. 6. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and a maximum of 10 members per team is allowed. Awards will be given for not only the fastest time over a yet to be determined distance, but for most money raised, and most spirited or best-dressed team.

The entry fee is $250, but pledging is encouraged to help raise as much money as possible for the regional work of the United Way of Northern B.C.

The Northern B.C. regional branch of the United Way serves the area stretching from Quesnel in the south to the Yukon border in the north, and west from Haida Gwaii to the eastern border with Alberta. That鈥檚 two-thirds of the province of B.C., area-wise.

They are involved in youth mentoring programs, youth sports programs, senior鈥檚 independence programs, and other initiatives to promote healthy and strong communities.

The seventieth Lakes District Fall Fair and Music Festival will be taking place on Sept. 6 鈭� 8 at the Eagle Creek Campgrounds just south of 亚洲天堂 Lake. Overnight camping is available, as well as a weekend pass and family rates.

The music festival line-up includes BLPC Music Team, the Bev Hughes Highland Dancers and the Sophie Shaffer Dancers, the Lake Babine Nation Hereditary Chiefs Drum Group, Lakes District Choir members, Lone Spur, the Moosehorn Mountain Boys, Dave Bitner, and a new band from Prince George, Out of Alba.

The family dance on Saturday evening will feature the Tweedsmuir Fiddlers, the Saltwater Brothers, the Barkers, and the Vanderhoof Drifting Squares Square Dancers.

Events planned for the weekend included a equestrian events, logger sports, mechanical bull riding, a pet show and teen races. For a detailed schedule of events, see the special supplement floating around town, stop in at the Lakes District 亚洲天堂 for a copy, or visit http://www.ldfallfair.ca/index.php/events/schedule-of-events.

Online registration is at:https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/startup aspx? locationID = 127299