First responders picnic is Saturday in Fairfield

FAIRFIELD — Maasdam Barns in Fairfield will host a cookout Saturday to honor the county’s public safety officials.

The event will be from 4-7 p.m., and is free and open to the public. The committee planning the event will accept a goodwill offering. Money raised at the cookout will go toward the community’s first responder organizations.

“It’s an appreciation picnic for all our first responders, police, sheriff, ambulance staff, dispatchers and jailers,” said Lee Dimmitt, one of the organizers.

Dimmitt said the event is being made possible by Farm Bureau, Fairfield Hy-Vee, Fairfield Walmart, and the Jefferson County Pork Producers and Jefferson County Cattlemen, which are serving the meal. They are planning to make 250 meals for the public at no charge.

“We will serve until we run out,” Dimmitt said. “The purpose of this event is to get to know these folks. Sometimes when we first meet them, it’s in our time of need, and not conducive to visiting.”

Dimmitt said the event is non-political and is designed to be family-friendly.

“I’m hoping this will be an annual event at Maasdam Barns,” he said. “A lot of people came together to make this work.”

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com