The community event and fundraiser will commemorate the survivors of the Great Fire, the thousands of people who spent 5 hours in Lake Temiskaming waiting for the fire to pass through and whom had the difficult task of rebuilding the community and the region. The Great Fire is still considered one of the ten worst natural disasters in Canadian history. The fire destroyed over 90% of the town, killing 11 residents, and leaving 3500 people homeless. The evening will enable our children and the community at large to learn about this tragedy and its courageous survivors.

The revenues from the Haileybury’s Great Fire Challenge will go towards the Haileybury Heritage Museum for the reprinting of the Great Fire of 1922 book, which tells the story of many of these survivors. The book has been out of print for many years. The objective is to raise $8000 towards this cause. The museum will provide a receipt for tax purposes for any donation of $25 or more.

We encourage individuals, families and organizations to join us on Tuesday, October 4th at 5:45pm to be in the water for 5 minutes. We encourage participants to wear clothing of the 1922 era. You can also bring a blanket to cover your heads from the flying ashes. A prize will be awarded for the best-dressed participant.

We encourage the community members and families of the suvivors to buy a candle to commemorate your family member.  The candle will be lit on Tuesday October 4th in memory of that special person.  You name and relationship to that person will also be written on the bag along with the name of the survivor.