Fisherville firefighters host annual Wing Ding fundraiser
By Kerry J Newstead
The Haldimand Press
FISHERVILLE—The Fisherville Lions Community Centre may have been a bad place to be for a chicken on Saturday, July 26, 2025, but it was the place to be for area residents enjoying the 40th Wing Ding put on by Station 12.
Haldimand Fire Captain Shawn Booker, one of the organizers of the event, said, “I have been helping run this Wing Ding for 10 years now. It is an event where the public comes out and enjoys wings, Snyder’s sweet corn, and fries. We have a live band. Everybody has a good time.”
The money raised goes to both helping the community and to offsetting some costs at the station.
Originally the Wing Ding took place at the fire hall, but its significant growth over the years required a move to the community centre. Surprisingly, the original fryers are still in use today. This year, they expected over 250 people eating in person, plus a number of take-away meals.
Station 12 has a team of 20 volunteer firefighters and two fire vehicles. During the evening their pumper was parked near the rear of the building, ready to go at a moment’s notice.
FISHERVILLE—Megan Helder serving one of the expected 250 guests at the Fisherville firefighters’ 40th annual Wing Ding on Saturday, July 26, 2025. —Haldimand Press photos by Kerry J Newstead. 
FISHERVILLE—Fry guy Dan Helder loading up Rich Bossaert with a batch of piping hot fries with Steve Burgess standing by to assist. 
FISHERVILLE—Lori Armstrong from Simcoe and Theresa Weaver of York enjoying their meal together in the Fisherville Lions Community Centre. 
FISHERVILLE—Jodie Mehlenbacher selling refreshment tickets to Rod Schweyer. 
FISHERVILLE—Dawn Reeves-Otterman, wife and aunt to members of Station 12, digging into her wings. 
FISHERVILLE—The band Rathwell as they performed popular songs throughout the ages. 
FISHERVILLE—Ten-year veteran of the Haldimand Fire Department, Scott Silverthorne, enjoying his corn. 
FISHERVILLE—Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley along with some of the incredible volunteers that helped to put on the dinner and man the Fisherville fire station. —Haldimand Press photos by Kerry J Newstead.
Inside or outside, the members of the fire department were busy selling tickets and then cooking or serving the food. Throughout the night, 500 pounds of chicken wings were cooked, along with 200 pounds of French fries. Snyder’s sweet corn donated 720 cobs of corn for the event.
On stage performing was the band Rathwell, consisting of Gary Rathwell on guitar and vocals, Chris Carey on bass, and Pete Stampone on drums.
Always a firefighter first, the organizers reminded residents of an important tip: always be careful while cooking with oils and grease!
