SERVING WITH SMILES … Two officers of the Montpelier Police Department stand ready to share knowledge with local youth.
DUNK AN OFFICER… The dunk tank gave children an opportunity to try and dunk a police officer!
(PHOTOS BY BREANA RELIFORD / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
RAFFLE PRIZES … Several children had the chance to bring home a bicycle if their ticket won in the raffle.
By: Breana Reliford
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Imagination Station in Bryan was a hit this weekend at the Park With The Police Event. This event kicked off on Saturday, June 14, 2025, and offered several fun and educational activities for children ages 2-10.
From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., a schedule of different events could be enjoyed for free for families in Bryan and the surrounding areas.
At the start of the day, kids were offered free gift bags and donuts to welcome them to the event. This also gave time for families to check out all there was to do.
Local law enforcement officers attended the event, talking and answering questions with kids, hosting a few stations, and even allowed kids to challenge them to a game of tag or basketball.
Another popular sight was the dunk tank, where children had the opportunity to try and dunk a police officer!
There was also an obstacle course, where children could ride a bike through a maze of cones while paying attention to stop signs and other directions given by police officers.
This was a great way for children to learn about bicycle safety. Four of a Kind Entertainment LLC also provided Furry Overstuffed Animal Carts that all ages could drive around on and enjoy.
A few speakers hosted a mini-lesson for children interested in learning more about our area’s natural resources and law enforcement units.
Nature’s Nursery Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation provided a 30-minute lesson on encountering local wildlife. There was also a K-9 bite demonstration that lasted about an hour, as well as a 15-minute Bonzi Hunting K-9 retrieving demo from Leo, Indiana.
Near the picnic area, dozens of bicycles and other prizes were preparing to be raffled off, with all the children attending having a chance to win as long as they were present at the time of the raffle.
Calli’s Smokehouse of Edon was taking free-will donations for food and drinks. All proceeds from the food stands were put towards the K-9 funds of Local Williams County agencies.
Each of the K-9’s had a silent auction basket as well, with the funds raised going directly to that K-9.
Other stations located around the park included bounce houses, an inflatable obstacle course, a photo booth, martial arts demonstrations, tug-of-war, ice cream, donuts, and a shooting education station.
Participating agencies at this event included: Williams County Sheriff’s Office, Bryan Police Department, Stryker Police Department, Edgerton Police Department, Edon Police Department, Blakeslee Police Department, Montpelier Police Department, Pioneer Police Department, West Unity Police Department, Hicksville Police Department, Williams County Prohibition, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and Ohio State Highway Patrol Post 20.
Children and families had a great time despite a little rain at the start of the day. It had a large turnout with many smiling faces, and a great day was had by all.