MY HOME TOWN NEWS
You are here: Home >> PRESS COVERAGE >> My Home Town NewsBy Jamye Durrance
Staff writer
NEW SMYNRA BEACH - Five-year-old Shelby Balmer impatiently stood on her tiptoes, peeked over the gate and waited for the merry-go-round operator to open it.
On the other hand, her-three-year-old brother Dylan stood patiently waiting beside her.
Shelby and Dylan were just two of thousands of kids who turned out for last weekend's Volusia County Sheriff's Office's Battle of the Badges, a multi-day fundraiser benefiting the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch.
"We're having a good time," said their mom, Shannon Balmer. "I'll run out of tickets and money before they tire out."
The three-day event transformed Riverside Park into a midway with games, rides and filled the air with the lingering aroma of burgers and sausages.
"There was something for everyone," Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson said. "It's just been a great event."
In its second year, the Sheriff's Office expanded the events to the entire weekend, starting on Friday night with a free concert.
Saturday was highlighted by a fishing tournament with 326 participants, up from 304 last year.
"It turned out pretty well," Sheriff's Office spokesman Gary Davidson said. "It exceeded last year's success."
The family-orientated fishing tournament and carnival games replace five years of bus races as the Sheriff's Office's annual fundraiser.
The previous fundraiser ended in tragedy in 2006 after Lake County Sheriff Chris Daniels died after he was thrown from a bus and run over.
The new format has proved to be successful, Mr. Davidson said.
"It's really turned into a family and community event," he said. "It has brought the community together."
Over at the midway games, eight-year-old Megan Brown was certainly enjoying Saturday's festivities.
After successfully soaking her victim in the dunk tank, she became addicted.
"Can I do it again?"
After another successful round, she eyed the pie-throwing booth next door to the dunking tank.
"I really like it," she said of the games.
Despite a few light sprinkles on Saturday afternoon, people continued to mill around, carrying stuffed animals under one arm and cotton candy in the other.
On Sunday morning, 94 people participated in the newly added 5K run. The run was followed by a law enforcement Olympic challenge.
Sheriff Johnson said he is proud to have his name associated with the Battle of the Badges.
"It's the volunteers, not me, who do all the work," he said. "I'm just happy to put my name on it."
