Rhonda Griffin, Editor

The Elizabethtown Police Department is gearing up for the annual Kids’ Appreciation Day, and some recent donations by Smithfield Foods helped to put plans into action.

The Tar Heel division of the company contributed $1,000 cash and five bicycles with helmets to the cause last week, along with hot dogs and the Boston butts to be used for barbecue.

The third annual event will consists of games, prizes, a bounce house, an obstacle course, a 3-point basketball shootout, a baseball homerun derby, pony rides, face painting and more. The donated bicycles will be raffled, and, of course, there will be more than enough food to go around.

For a unique twist, there are even plans to have a hovercraft, a machine that maneuvers on both land and water, to be on-site.

Local law enforcement and emergency personnel from Elizabethtown Police Department, Elizabethtown Fire Department, Elizabethtown Rescue Squad, Bladen County EMS, Bladen County Sheriff’s Department and North Carolina Highway Patrol will be present. The Bladen County Library Book Mobile will also make an appearance.

Various local agencies, including Safe Kids and Families First will have informational booths. Booth space is still available for any group or organization who would like to sponsor a fun event for or provide safety information to the children.

For more information on the event, contact the Elizabethtown Police Department at 862-3125.