A West 琉璃神社 group is planning a celebration of firefighters and first responders who battled the Grouse Complex wildfires.

The Okanagan Wildfire Responders Gratitude Event (OWRGE) is set for spring next year.

鈥淚t will be an upbeat, family-oriented community event highlighting the efforts of all frontline workers,鈥� said Tom Groat, event chairman.

The event will include live music, food, special activities, and a formal gratitude ceremony and is planned for Memorial Park on April 27.

鈥淲e thought it would be best to let them (first responders) finish up their job and get some rest and look at doing this in the spring,鈥� Groat added.

鈥淲e鈥檝e got a nice group of diverse people so hopefully we can put on a great event.鈥�

The OWRGE committee is made up of residents, neighbourhood associations, and service clubs, and has partnered with local governments to ensure all wildfire responders are acknowledged.

Groat said they are expecting anywhere from two to five thousand people to attend.

鈥淭hat one is going to be hard to nail down, but we鈥檒l prepare to handle the number of people that show up.鈥�

The committee is currently planning activities, music, and lining up sponsors for the event.

They are also in need of volunteers.

鈥淎nyone that wants to volunteer, or would like to become a sponsor, they can contact our sponsorship committee or volunteer committee directly,鈥� Groat said.

He added the committee is also planning to present first responders with a commemorative lapel pin.

鈥淭hat would be an example of sponsorship. If we could get someone to sponsor those, that allows us to get them to the people that deserve them.鈥�

More information about the event, volunteering, or sponsorships can be found on the .

READ MORE: The resiliency of the Okanagan community: Grouse Complex wildfire

READ MORE: $5k grant to Central Okanagan Foundation to help with wildfire relief