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Holiday for Heroes 4th for Our Soldiers Celebration Saturday at Arborwood Subdivision in Burlington


By Benjamin Shipp
NKyTribune reporter

The 13th annual Holiday for Heroes “4th for Our Soldiers Celebration” takes place Saturday on Catalpa Lane in Burlington’s Arborwood subdivision.

Activities include a live concert from DV8 Rocks the House, a fireworks show by Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks, sky diving by Team Fast Trax, and much more.

Founded in 2005, Holiday for Heroes was initially a family style Independence Day celebration where everyone in attendance was asked to bring a gift to ship to our troops overseas.

As years passed, the foundation has grown into much more than that initial concept, with more than 1,500 in attendance for last year’s “4th for Our Soldiers.” In its 13 years, “Holiday for Heroes” has provided more than $100,000 in supplies, grants, and scholarships for veterans and their families.

The event began as a way to raise money for veterans and their families and for years that was its sole purpose.

In 2015, however, Holiday for Heroes expanded its focus to in 2015 to include providing assistance for firefighters, police officers, and EMTs and their families.

4th for our Soldiers Celebration schedule (click to enlarge)

“We provide support by funding scholarships for the children of our troops and first responders who have had their formative years affected by their parent’s service to our country and communities” said Mitch Kotzbauer, director of operations at Holiday for Heroes.

The event runs from 4 p.m. to midnight and it is expected to draw more than 1,000 people again this year.

Tickets are priced at $20 per person or $50 for a family of four. Included with the price of admission are food, beverages and a day filled with family-friendly activities.

The event is envisioned as a fun day outdoors and a momentous afternoon dedicated to local heroes who have been wounded or killed in the line of duty.

Guests are invited to bring their own lawn chairs.

“Fourth for Our Soldiers” is one of three events that Holiday for Heroes throws throughout the year.

With the help of partnerships from corporate sponsors such as Budweiser, Central Bank, Best Way Disposal, Kroger, Collets, JTM, Triggers, and UPS, Holiday for Heroes hosts a golf tournament at Triple Crown Country Club in Union, as well as “The Battle of the Badge, where police officers and firefighters from surrounding communities square off in sanctioned boxing matches.

Hosting the event will be special guest emcee and 700 WLW radio host Rocky Boimann.

For more information go to the Holiday for Heroes website  or check them out on Facebook, Twitter, at @Hol4HeroesKy, or Instagram, at @holiday_4_heroes.

Benjamin Shipp is an intern at NKyTribune and a student at the University of Cincinnati. Contact the Northern Kentucky tribune at news@nkytrib.com


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