The Warrenton Fire Protection District is hosting the 2009 Fire Fighters Association of Missouri Annual Convention to begin this Friday, May 1, and continue through Sunday, May 3. Organizers anticipate 500 to 600 firefighters and their families will visit Warrenton this weekend. Local hotels have been booked for over a year, according to Warrenton Fire Chief Mike Owenby. "It's finally coming together," said Kerre Becker, Warrenton firefighter. "It's an honor to host this." This is only the second time Warrenton has hosted the state convention and the first since 1969. Last year's state convention was held in Branson. Next year's affair will be hosted by Kearney. "We are very proud of our fire district," Becker said. "We wanted the chance to showcase Warrenton again. It was time to promote the fire district and Warrenton. We are proud of our city." Most of the activities will be held at Warrenton High School. Nightly entertainment, which is closed to the public, will be held at the Holy Rosary Activity Center. The fire district, including members of the ladies auxiliary, have been preparing for the convention since submitting a proposal to the state association two years ago. Owenby estimates the fire district has spent approximately $45,000 to host the three-day event. "To be able to showcase the city and the department is phenomenal for us," Owenby said. "There is a lot of stuff planned. There are several things nobody has done before. We also have included older traditions back into the convention." Organizers are encouraging the community to attend the parade, which will be held Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at the SAF Holland parking lot. The parade will travel on Highway M (Main Street) and turn at Pinckney Street in Truesdale en route to the high school. The parade will include several old fire engines. Local organizations may participate as well, Becker said. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the Firefighters Challenge skills competition will begin at the high school parking lot with the various departments competing against one another. "The competition is always fun," Owenby said. "There is some good-natured rivalries." Throughout Friday and Saturday, exhibits and a silent auction will be held at Warrenton High School featuring emergency service vendors and local groups such as the ladies auxiliary selling crafts. On Sunday, the state association will host its annual meeting for the firefighters and ladies auxiliary members. Closing ceremonies will begin at noon and are expected to end at 2 p.m. "We're doing this to showcase our city and the people we serve every day," Becker said. "We are proud to serve our community. We want them to support us this weekend. This year's convention also includes two guest speakers and one entertainer. Retired Phoenix Fire Chief Alan Brunacini, a nationally renowned teacher, will be presenting a class on command safety Friday morning. Also a structural firefighting class presented by Kraig Bone of LETS Train will feature a live fire at Station No. 1 on Fairgrounds Road Friday afternoon. During Saturday night's banquet, Billy Bingo, a retired New York City firefighter and comic, will entertain the crowd. The fire district also is providing professional baby-sitting services during the nightly entertainment and transportation for guests throughout the weekend. All the money raised at this year's event will go toward future conventions and the Warrenton Fire Protection District. Owenby thanked his fellow department members, the ladies auxiliary, area businesses and the city for supporting this year's effort. "We couldn't have done this without the support of the community," Owenby said.