The American Red Cross of Hardin County will hold the 2nd Annual Boots and Badges to honor local first responders on Sunday, June 26, from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at Gormley Park in Forest.

Several Ada businesses help sponsor the event. They include: Ada Jr. Civic League, Quest Federal Credit Union, Everhart Trucking, Liberty National Bank and Hanson-Neely Funeral Home.  

The format for this year’s event will be a family fun day with rides, games, food and fun.

Boots and Badges is an annual fundraiser for the Hardin County Red Cross and celebrates Hardin County firefighters, law enforcement and emergency medical responders. 

Red Cross Community Volunteer Leader Audrey Hankins says this year’s event was designed with input from the first responders. 

“We had a great event last year, but we wanted to know how we could make it better.  We asked the departments what kind of event they would like. They said they would prefer a family event that included their children. So this year, we are making Boots and Badges a great day for family fun.”

Hankins says Boots and Badges is open to the public as well as Hardin County first responders and their families and will feature a bounce house, pony and train rides, face painting, free Child ID kits and a Touch a Truck display of local emergency vehicles. 

There will also be a silent auction, 50/50 drawings and more.  Barbeque chicken and pork chop meals will be available for $10 and hot dogs and hamburgers for $3, with all Hardin County first responders eating for free. 

“This is a chance for the public and their community heroes to all come together with their families and have some fun,” says Hankins.

All proceeds from Boots and Badges will benefit the American Red Cross of Hardin County. 

Meal tickets are available in advance from members of the Hardin County Red Cross Leadership Council and will be available at the event.  For more information, contact Audrey Hankins at (419) 273-3122 or [email protected].