FAIRFIELD — A few hundred people descended on Maasdam Barns in Fairfield Saturday evening for the Second Annual First Responders Appreciation Picnic.

The event is a fundraiser for the various emergency response organizations in Jefferson County. This year’s picnic included a dunk tank, a jazz band, and free food courtesy of the Jefferson County Pork Producers and Jefferson County Cattlemen.

Lee Dimmitt, one of the organizers of the event, remarked that the gathering was moved within Maasdam Barns so that it would be closer to the building on the west side. He said Leon Connelly recommended the change, so that attendees would have easier access to shelter in the event of rain.

“I am so pleased at the folks who came out to support these guys and gals,” Dimmitt said. “We’re got state representatives here. The response to this speaks volumes about the community. I am passionate about these people, the ones who are always there in our time of need. We don’t think about them until we need them. This is a small way of saying ‘thank you.’”

The picnic is made possible by sponsoring businesses such as Jefferson County Farm Bureau, Pilot Grove Savings Bank, Libertyville Savings Bank, MidWestOne Bank, 1st Community Credit Union and Washington State Bank. Walmart and Hy-Vee also donated food for the meal.