The first Sheriff’s Family Day has come and gone and the verdict is: Almost 4,000 Thumbs Up.

Sheriff’s Family Day on Saturday, Oct. 13, was a smash. The field at George R. Stuart School and the Handi-Park playground were full of milling crowds and laughing children as families from all over the community came to enjoy the free food, live entertainment, horseback rides, games, climbing wall, bouncy air toys, hay rides, exhibits, demonstrations, door prizes ...

Actually, we can’t list all the events and activities here, we don’t have enough room. But you get the idea.

Estimates vary as to just how many people turned out for the Sheriff’s Family Day, but the official estimate puts the number upward of 4,000. In fact, there were over a thousand children fingerprinted, and they only made up a small fraction of the attendance. You add their parents, grand parents, all the ones without kids and the kids who didn’t get printed, plus all the visitors and drop-ins  ... that’s a lot of people.

And yes ~ Sheriff’s Family Day 2008 is already in the works.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with way Family Day went,” smiled Sheriff Gobble. “It was a well-put-together and positive event that exceeded my expectations. We wanted to do something fun and constructive for the citizens of Bradley County to discourage drug use and encourage family togetherness, and I think that’s just what we did. I’m looking forward to 2008.”

The Sheriff added, “Of course, none of this was the effort of one person ~ we have dozens of volunteer, supporters and sponsors to thank. This was a terrific team effort and I appreciate everyone’s hard work.”

We can’t thank everyone who was involved because we just can’t remember all the people and all little things they did that went into making this day so special. But we’ll try anyway ...

Thanks to Principal Don Goff and Stuart School, Rock Creek Stables, Coca-Cola, Bi-Lo, White Dove Memories, Crayon Gospel, Perkits Yogurt, Caldwell Paving & Grading, Little Debbie, Baskin Robbins, Party Time Karaoke, Webfoot, Bradley Rentals, Fike Funeral Home, Cry-Leike Auctions, ohboycreative.com, Lynco Custom Cycles, Bradley Co. EMS, National Guard, Life Force, Cleveland Parks & Rec., Tenn. Meth Task Force, Cleveland Fire Department, Bradley Co. Road Dept., The Santa Project, Keep America Beautiful, Dale Dotson and the Cleveland Creative Arts Guild, Cinema 1 & 2, CVS Pharmacy, Jim Rush Funeral Home, Bolen Trailer Sales, Chuck Martin, Jackie and Lavoy, Dr. Rick Denning, Ronnie Carroll and Cameron’s Restaurant, Rod Davis, Medical Center Pharmacy, and the BCSO Special Projects Unit, just to name a few.

Check the Photo Gallery for pictures.