Tony Vandermaas was appointed as the City of Thorold's first Official Town Crier in 1999. The City held a contest to fill the position of Town Crier, and Mr. Vandermaas won unamously.

His uniform dates from the late 18th/early 19th century and was sewn by his wife, Penny, who accompanies him on his official duties whenever possible.

Most of his duties relate to heritage designations and opening ceremonies in Thorold and the surrounding communities. His most memorable duty was in 2000, when he announced Ontario's Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Hilary Weston at the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Niagara-on-the-Lake's library and the subsequent dinner at the Navy Hall in that town.