It’s finally time again for the hottest show in Nice – and this year it promises to crank up the heat even more. The Full Monty, quoi!

There is something about men in uniform, but there is something even better about men that shed that uniform. Especially if they are buff firefighters. On July 12, 2019, the firemen of Nice will hold their fifth annual ball benefitting the families of their fallen brethren, and to raise as much money as possible for this charitable cause, they won’t shy away from showing what they are packing underneath their gear.

Like in previous years 3,200 Niçois will pack the Théâtre de Verdure to the gills, and the programme is sizzling. Gilles Bellatre emcees the show, three bands and two DJs heat up the crowd, each of the six municipal fire stations keeps a bar with a theme of its own choice, and to top it all off… ladies (and interested gents), are you ready for this?? Everyone’s favorite heroes perform a striptease. Move over, Chippendales, the Niçois are in the house, and they are on fire!

 
Calling the event “ball and gala” is a bit of a misnomer, it is rather a flamboyant show which is getting better every year. 2019 sees the fifth edition since resuming in 2015 after a 21 year hiatus. “This is a moment of encounter and exchange between firemen and locals,” says organizer Frédéric Riquier. “It’s great to meet under happier circumstances than during an intervention. People who we have saved from the flames come to thank us, and there is a lot of emotion in the air.”

Of course partying with your friendly neighbourhood fireman is a great thing but knowing you contribute to a very worthy cause is even better. Proceeds and donations go to the Association d’Entraide des Sapeurs-Pompiers de Nice (AESPN) to provide financial help for the families, especially children, of those who sacrificed their life in the line of duty. What better motivation to go and join the men in blue on July 12 at the Théâtre de Verdure? Doors open at 6.30 pm with Happy Hour until 8 pm.

Tickets (10 € early bird/ 15 € at the door) are already selling like hot cakes, so book quickly. It’ll be a smoking hot night, that’s for sure…. and leaving your hat on is optional, Mr. Fireman 🙂

All images courtesy AESPN