GREENFIELD — Typically, public safety workers come to you. But Friday, Oct. 10, will offer an opportunity for you to visit them.
About 100 police, fire, EMS and other agencies are expected to be on hand for the Fall Public Safety Festival at the Franklin County Fairgrounds from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunderland Police Officer Benjamin Peters organized the first event in 2021 with the intention of holding it every other year, but he expects the festival to now be a yearly occurrence.
“People really like seeing the helicopters,” he said. “They like seeing all the demonstrations that all the agencies bring.”
Peters explained the agencies will include tow truck companies, mental health resources and the Franklin County Police Cadets, who will be staffing the event and assisting the anticipated 1,500 guests. There will also be 11 food vendors.
Peters mentioned he and State Trooper Deshawn Brown got the ball rolling a handful of years ago, initially with the idea of having a “Coffee with a Cop” event.
“We had the idea to expand it and invite more agencies,” Peters said.
The first festival was held at Sunderland Elementary School.
“As it continued to grow, it just outgrew that venue,” Peters noted.
He mentioned popular attractions are usually the drones, water rescue boats, K-9 demonstrations and Jaws of Life extrication equipment demonstrations.
There will also be a costume contest for young people, with no specific age limit.
“I have serious ambitions for fireworks in the future,” Peters added.