The theme of this week’s Thursdays in Pella was Rollout, as community members celebrated First Responder Appreciation Night on the square. 

Festivities for the event included a meet and greet with the first responders from the area and their vehicles, including the Pella Police Department, Pella Ambulance, Pella Fire, Knoxville Police, the Iowa State Patrol, and Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Entertainment featured demonstrations by Pella Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the performance of the City Band. Pella Ambulance Director Greg Higginbotham said that the event also provided a great opportunity to interact with residents and discuss the work they do with their Crisis Therapy Canines.

“It’s a great experience. The kids love the dogs, and it gives us a chance to explain what the dogs are for and just to show them what the dogs can do and just how gentle they are. They love the kids, and the kids love the dogs, and they were at the library earlier today, so they had a very long day today but it was very good. We had a lot of questions about what is a Crisis Canine and what can they do. There’s a lot of confusion that they’re a police dog, and there’s a lot of differences. These dogs are meant to be petted and they’re meant to be therapy for everybody, so it’s a good experience for us.”

The KNIA/KRLS Lil’ Big Red Radio is broadcasting from every Thursdays in Pella this summer.