First responders to face off at the Battle of the Badges

BY KADIE TAYLOR

THE LAFAYETTE SUN

CHAMBERS COUNTY — The Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the inaugural Clover and Coals Battle of the Badges on March 14 from noon to 4 p.m. ET at the Shawmut Airport.

“We are excited to announce Clover and Coals Battle of the Badges,” said Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Carrie Wood. “That is where our local police, fire department and the sheriff’s department will battle it out. They are going to be cooking pulled pork and chicken — so they will be cooking the three items to be judged on. It is going to be a family-friendly day full of activities, where we plan to have some live music and some entertain- ment for the kids. We encour- age everyone to come out
and support the heroes that serve our community every day. We are going to do taste testing so they can vote on the People’s Choice Award, and there will be a charge [to sample the competition creations that has not been officially announced].”

Wood said she hopes the event will be a place for the community to gather and support their local first responders — while trying some tasty food.

“I’m hoping that everyone is excited, and they can pick their favorite team and come out and support them,” she said. “I think it’s just going
to be a great day involving everyone. Each team will have one main cook, and then they can have up to four members per department. So far, we have Lanett Police, Lanett Fire, Valley Police, East Alabama Fire, West Point Fire, West Point Police, LaFayette Fire, the Sheriff’s Department and Huguley Fire signed up.”

Along with a fun time full of grills and great community, Wood said she is looking forward to creating a space where locals can connect with their first responders.

“I think it’s important that we as a community and our kids [who are] growing up realize that [first respond- ers] are the same as us, that they’re doing a job and it is a job that they chose,” she said. “We want to connect the community to our first responders, and then our first responders to the community as well. And so it’s a great opportunity for our kids and our families, to come out and see them in their natural state, having a good time doing things that they love to do outside of what their job is. So, it’s our time to support and serve them.”

Wood said many of the first responders are already shar-

ing their excitement for the event and she looks forward to seeing those participating have a great time with their co-workers while creating fun county competition.

“I absolutely love working with our local first respond- ers,” she said. “It’s amazing to get them out of their work zone, to see them in their natural state. And I think that everyone deserves to see
that and realize they’re just like us. So I’m excited to see them compete against each other. Friendly competition is always good, and they’re excited about that. They were already talking about what they were going to do. So I think it’s a way for them to also grow their relationship with each other, and for us to be a part of that is amazing.”

For more information, visit www.greatervalleyarea.com.

“I just want to encourage everyone to come out,” Wood said. “It’s going to be a great day. Hopefully, we will have good weather. Come out

and support our local first responders and enjoy a great day in the city of Valley. This is definitely going to be some- thing fun, family-friendly and cost-efficient, that locals can come and have a good time while supporting the men

and women who support us daily.”