Southern Maine residents are invited to an old-fashioned community festival in South Portland Saturday – complete with free pony rides, hot dogs and a brass band – to honor public safety workers and military personnel.

More than 1,000 visitors are expected to turn out at Memorial Middle School for Honor Our Heroes Day, an effort by area churches, the city of South Portland, the Portland Sea Dogs and several businesses to say thank you to men and women who are emergency workers and in the armed services.

Eric Samuelson, senior pastor of the Rock Church of South Portland – the lead organizer – said the outdoor celebration is “a very tangible way for the community to show its appreciation for the service and sacrifice individuals and families make.”

Samuelson said that about 130 volunteers have worked to organize the festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school’s athletic fields on Wescott Road.

He said that organizers are counting on members of the general public to turn out, as well as civil service workers and military families.

All events and food are free, with many activities for children, including an inflatable “bounce palace,” carnival games, a climbing wall, fire truck tours, petting zoo and pony rides.

There also will be hot dogs, cotton candy and drinks provided by Poland Spring and Coca-Cola. Yankee Ford and Saco and Biddeford Savings are among the sponsors whose donations are enabling the event to be free.

The day includes a visit by members of the Portland Sea Dogs, who will sign autographs and play toss and catch with the kids.

At noon, South Portland Mayor Jim Soule will present plaques and awards to service people. At 12:30 p.m., a brass quintet from the Massachusetts National Guard will perform.

The event also is a chance for the public to remember members of the military who have been lost in the war in the Middle East, including South Portland residents Jason Swiger, Angel Rosa and Justin Buxbaum.

Organizers are encouraging members of the public to bring photos of loved ones who have served as public safety workers or in the armed services. Samuelson said photos can be of “current heroes or of a grandparent who served in World War II.”

Visitors can take the photos home at the end of the day, if they choose.

Although this is the fourth year of Honor Our Heroes Day, the event has been expanded to welcome communities from across southern Maine. The Rock Church organized the event, with Holy Cross, St. John the Evangelist and Eastpointe Christian Church participating for the first time and providing volunteers.

Police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and military personnel from South Portland, Westbrook, Saco, Old Orchard Beach and Portland are expected to attend. Members of the National Guard, Army Reserves and Coast Guard also will be recognized.

Samuelson emphasized that the free activities and food are for all visitors, regardless of whether they have worked in the military or in civil services.

“This is a community event,” he said.

But there will be some special prize giveaways for service personnel, including a weekend getaway at the Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth.

“We are reaching out across the region,” said Samuelson, a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard. “Every year, reservists out of Westbrook and the fire and police from Portland, Saco and Biddeford have been invited. This year, the effort is much broader, with more focus on involving businesses and members of the public beyond South Portland.

“As a military person for 18 years, I have felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment and support and job satisfaction,” he added. “But family members may not always feel that, though they make sacrifices. This is a way for the community to say, ‘thank you.”‘

A CLOSER LOOK

For more information on Honor Our Heroes Day, go to the Web site at www.hohmaine.com

Fun fest – with serious messageFun fest – with serious message

Southern Maine residents are invited to an old-fashioned community festival in South Portland Saturday – complete with free pony rides, hot dogs and a brass band – to honor public safety workers and military personnel.

More than 1,000 visitors are expected to turn out at Memorial Middle School for Honor Our Heroes Day, an effort by area churches, the city of South Portland, the Portland Sea Dogs and several businesses to say thank you to men and women who are emergency workers and in the armed services.

Eric Samuelson, senior pastor of the Rock Church of South Portland – the lead organizer – said the outdoor celebration is “a very tangible way for the community to show its appreciation for the service and sacrifice individuals and families make.”

Samuelson said that about 130 volunteers have worked to organize the festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school’s athletic fields on Wescott Road.

He said that organizers are counting on members of the general public to turn out, as well as civil service workers and military families.

All events and food are free, with many activities for children, including an inflatable “bounce palace,” carnival games, a climbing wall, fire truck tours, petting zoo and pony rides.

There also will be hot dogs, cotton candy and drinks provided by Poland Spring and Coca-Cola. Yankee Ford and Saco and Biddeford Savings are among the sponsors whose donations are enabling the event to be free.

The day includes a visit by members of the Portland Sea Dogs, who will sign autographs and play toss and catch with the kids.

At noon, South Portland Mayor Jim Soule will present plaques and awards to service people. At 12:30 p.m., a brass quintet from the Massachusetts National Guard will perform.

The event also is a chance for the public to remember members of the military who have been lost in the war in the Middle East, including South Portland residents Jason Swiger, Angel Rosa and Justin Buxbaum.

Organizers are encouraging members of the public to bring photos of loved ones who have served as public safety workers or in the armed services. Samuelson said photos can be of “current heroes or of a grandparent who served in World War II.”

Visitors can take the photos home at the end of the day, if they choose.

Although this is the fourth year of Honor Our Heroes Day, the event has been expanded to welcome communities from across southern Maine. The Rock Church organized the event, with Holy Cross, St. John the Evangelist and Eastpointe Christian Church participating for the first time and providing volunteers.

Police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and military personnel from South Portland, Westbrook, Saco, Old Orchard Beach and Portland are expected to attend. Members of the National Guard, Army Reserves and Coast Guard also will be recognized.

Samuelson emphasized that the free activities and food are for all visitors, regardless of whether they have worked in the military or in civil services.

“This is a community event,” he said.

But there will be some special prize giveaways for service personnel, including a weekend getaway at the Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth.

“We are reaching out across the region,” said Samuelson, a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard. “Every year, reservists out of Westbrook and the fire and police from Portland, Saco and Biddeford have been invited. This year, the effort is much broader, with more focus on involving businesses and members of the public beyond South Portland.

“As a military person for 18 years, I have felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment and support and job satisfaction,” he added. “But family members may not always feel that, though they make sacrifices. This is a way for the community to say, ‘thank you.”‘

A CLOSER LOOK

For more information on Honor Our Heroes Day, go to the Web site at www.hohmaine.com

Fun fest – with serious messageFun fest – with serious message