Defending America’s Defenders will hold its first Patriot Day Celebration Sept. 9 from noon to 11 p.m. at Pyne Road Park. Committee member Maureen Struble said the group is holding the event to honor local veterans and first responders.

“This is a first-time event, and we’re hoping it can be an annual event,” Struble said. “It’s done on Patriot Day because we want to honor veterans and their families and first responders.”

During the day, the event will include games, bounce houses, a military obstacle course and raffles, she said.

“There’s going to be numerous kiddie games, there’s going to be a military obstacle course, we’re going to have blow-up things for the kids, like bouncy houses,” she said. “That’s going to be all going on during the day. There will be military personnel that will be there that can speak and they’re going to be involved with the obstacle course.”

In the evening, the event will have Eley Road, Nite Flight and Shane McDaniel with Drew Ellis perform, she said.

“It’s free to get into during the day and $10 to see the bands,” she said.

Struble said the event is strictly for veteran and first responder families. She said the organization is holding the event to show their gratefulness to them.

“This is just our way of thanking military and first responders and let them know that the Defending American Defenders organization supports them,” she said.

All money raised for the event will go to the organization, she said.

“Any proceeds that we do receive entirely goes to local homeless veterans and any vet in need,” she said.

“[DAD helps] them with utility bills, groceries, whatever we can help them with, and the purpose is to raise money for vets and honor them for Patriot’s Day.”

Struble said the organization hopes the event will have a good turnout.

“It is the first one of this type, and we’re hoping for a good turnout so we can do it next year. At the same time, we want to make as much money as possible to help out with veterans,” she said.