The Paddyfest Parade is an annual event held in Listowel to celebrate Irish culture. Some even call it North America's biggest Irish Festival. But this year the mood was somber. Two days before the massive event, the town experienced a terrible tragedy.
On St. Patrick's Day, March 17th, a fire broke out in a downtown dollar store. Kenneth Rea, 56, and Raymond Walter, 30, were two of the volunteer firefighters who responded to the emergency call. They were inside the store looking for trapped shoppers when the roof collapsed. Both men were killed.
Last year Rea helped organized the parade. This year a tribute to both men lead the procession of pipe band marches.
"It was nice to see a small community like Listowel and its surroundings really pull together," said parade-goer Laurie Barfoot.
As the town struggles to recover from the shock of the loss, an investigation into the fire continues. Ontario's Fire Marshall remains at the scene of the fire.
A joint funeral service for both Rea and Walter is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 24th at Listowel's Memorial Arena.
Victim Services of Perth County and the North Perth and Area Ministerial Association are hosting a Community Debriefing Session on Sunday, March 20th. The gathering will give community members a place where they can grieve and support their friends, family and neighbours.
