The Roanoke Rapids Fire Department and the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce are joining forces again this year for the department’s annual fire safety fair and the chamber’s Music in the Park concert series.

“It’s a wonderful partnership we do with our Music in the Park to bring the community out,” said chamber President Ginny Lewis. “It brings attention to the fire department and what it is doing to teach fire safety in the community.”

The idea was born last year and the two events were held on the same evening — the safety fire at the station on Roanoke Avenue and Music in the Park across the street at Centennial Park. “With the fire safety fair next door we combined the two and had a wonderful event.”

Both events are set for August 25 this year from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Chief Jason Patrick and retired Deputy Chief Wes Hux, who is continuing to help plan the fair, brought up combining the events. “It worked out very well last year,” Patrick said.

With the events being held around Centennial Park and the fire station, the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall will also be used for vendors and organizations, Lewis said.

The safety fair will feature activities including a bounce house, music, Sparky the Fire Pup and the fire safety house 

The fire department also plans to distribute around 100 backpacks for children and continues to seek sponsors for the effort.

On the chamber’s end, in addition to music, there will be around four food trucks on site.

Like Patrick, Lewis said the sponsors are what make these events successful. “All of these events, without our sponsors, we wouldn’t be able to do it if it wasn’t for them.”

To discuss possible sponsorships or for more information, contact the fire department at 252-537-2880.