Special To The Weekly Vista
To pay tribute to Bella Vista's first-responders, Simple Pleasures Events Center will host a one-day, family-friendly festival on Sept. 18, 2016, in the Highlands are of Bella Vista.
The event -- which runs 11 am. to 4 p.m. -- includes live classic rock music, wood-fired cheeseburgers, hay rides, yard games, drug-dog demonstrations and vehicle and equipment exhibitions by police, fire and EMS crews. Along with celebrating local heroes, the festival is designed to allow adults and kids to meet and interact with first responders who will be participating in the activities throughout the day.
"This event is going to be both fun for families and meaningful for our community," said Ken Miner, owner of Simple Pleasures and a longtime resident of Bella Vista. "There is too much negativity surrounding police forces across the country right now, and we feel like this is a way we can show them how much we appreciate and respect them and what they do for us every day."
According to Miner, one of the main reasons for hosting the event is to give the community a chance to interact with police, fire and EMS workers to create goodwill between the citizens and the public servants. After being assisted by Bella Vista police on several occasions as a business owner, he has a high opinion of the local force and believes others will share his enthusiasm when they have the opportunity to get to know the men and women in uniform.
Admission to the family-friendly event is free. Proceeds -- including sponsorship funds from Simple Pleasures, T.H. Rogers Lumber Company, Northwest Health Systems, Cooper Communities, Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, CEI Engineering Associates and Mayor Christie and his wife, Connie, Bella Vista Property Owners Association, Jim Morey Auto Body, Charlie and Liz Teal, Mercy Health Clinics, and Vacation Rentals --will be given to the Bella Vista Foundation for the purchase and installation of life-saving computer systems in the city's first-responder vehicles. Heroes and Hamburgers is being supported by The Bella Vista Foundation.
While more details regarding Heroes and Hamburgers' goal and the need for the computer systems will be released prior to the event, the gesture has drawn praise from city officials including Mayor Peter Christie, Police Chief Ken Farmer and Fire Chief Steve Sims.
"I'm so thankful for Simple Pleasures and the Heroes and Hamburgers corporate sponsors, because this is an issue that needs to be addressed ASAP," Mayor Christie said. "This event and the funds raised from it will do more than just create goodwill between the city heroes and the public -- it will save lives."
Those considering attending Heroes and Hamburgers are encouraged to bring the kids and lawn chairs and to be prepared for fun. In the event of rain, the festival will be rescheduled for Sept. 25.
Community on 08/24/2016