Region’s first responders to be honored at annual Dayton Valley Days festival

First responders who serve the greater Dayton area are being honored during the annual Dayton Valley Days 2016 street festival.

Early this year the Dayton Valley Days Committee unanimously voted to dedicate the festival scheduled Sept. 17-18 in Old Town Dayton to the region’s first responders as a way to thank each of them and let them know that in these turbulent times the communities they serve is behind them.

That means every one of the selfless individuals who dedicate their lives to being first to arrive during all types of emergencies in the region are invited to attend and be honored during the two-day weekend event: sheriff’s deputies, Highway Patrol troopers, firefighters, emergency medical service personnel, Search and Rescue volunteers, Volunteers in Police Service, Care Flight and Air Ambulance crew members, and blood service personnel.

The committee, area residents and businesses want to embrace and honor our heroes ... our first responders for their service. Organizations representing first responders are also invited to have floats and/or participate in the Hometown Parade and to reserve complimentary booth space to promote their organization and the first responders they serve.

Every year the committee selects a theme for the event and it was decided that this year’s choice provided a special opportunity to thank the brave men and women who serve the people of the region.

The two-day festival is the largest event in the community each year and draws thousands of visitors and community members to the historic district. Profits from the operation of Dayton Valley Days helps support local charities and preservation of the town’s historic community center.

This year’s festival schedule includes events throughout each day including a pancake breakfast each morning; daily live entertainment; Free Kids Zone; Chili Cook-Off, Railroad Days at the historic Carson & Colorado Depot; tours of the historic firehouse/jail and Dayton Museum; a huge outdoor craft fair; Boomerang’s Silent Auction; Saturday Hometown Parade honoring the area’s first responders; Saturday Gold Creek Show n’ Shine (classic cars and trucks), Sunday Pet Parade -and more.

For more information, go to www.daytonvalleydays.org, or call 775-301-9567.