Dover Fire Safety Festival returning to educate and entertain local students

posted on: 2/24/2025

After a six-year hiatus, Dover Fire & Rescue is bringing back its Fire Safety Festival, marking the 25th anniversary of its program that has helped educate children throughout the community about fire safety.

The festival's centerpiece is an original theatrical production written, produced and performed by Dover firefighters. The show will be presented to approximately 2,000 students from kindergarten through fourth grade at Dover's public and private elementary schools in May or June 2025.

This year's theme follows an uncle and nephew's educational adventure at Dover's Central Fire Station, featuring popular songs reimagined with fire safety messages. The production teaches essential safety lessons including "stop, drop and roll," emergency preparedness, and the importance of knowing multiple escape routes during a fire.

The department is seeking community support to fund the $9,000-$12,000 production costs. Each student receives a T-shirt, coloring book, and fire safety prevention materials.

Four sponsorship levels are available:

• Diamond Level ($1,500+): Exclusive donor listing on cast gift and premium logo placement on festival T-shirts
• Gold Level ($800-$1,499): Large logo on festival T-shirts
• Silver Level ($500-$799): Medium logo on festival T-shirts
• Bronze Level ($100-$499): Business name listed on T-shirts

Donations must be received by April 1, 2025, for inclusion on this year's T-shirts. Checks should be made payable to "City of Dover- Fire Safety Festival" and mailed to 288 Central Ave., Dover, NH 03820, or dropped off at any Dover fire station. Include "Children's Fire Safety Festival" in the memo line.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Dover Fire & Rescue at (603) 516-6148.

Previous festival performances, which have featured themes from "Shrek," "Toy Story," "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and "Star Wars," are available to view on the City of Dover's website at https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/fire-and-rescue/fire-prevention-and-safety/fire-safety-festival/.