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VFW block party will honor Vietnam vetsCouncil clears path for Saturday event by approving street closures ...To Host eating contest!

The Coolidge Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3713 was awarded approval for street closures for the inaugural Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day Block Party, to be held on Saturday, March 1.
The City Council voted to approve the closure of Coolidge Avenue, from Main Street to just short of Fourth Street. A street closure also will be in effect for Third Street from Harding Avenue to Lincoln Avenue. The closure will be from 6 a.m. to midnight on that Saturday.

The VFW is hosting the event to show appreciation for the veterans who served in the Vietnam War. During the day-long event, the VFW hopes to offer a pancake breakfast and a recognition ceremony for prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action. The business owners along Coolidge Avenue reportedly have offered their support for this event.
The schedule of events kicks off with the breakfast at 7 a.m., a "Vietnam Era" karaoke contest at 9, the POW/MIA ceremony at noon, and the rest of the day free to enjoy the vendors and featured entertainment.
Some of the activities scheduled to be featured include a police officer pie-throw, a jail buy-in-bond, a chili cook-off, face painting, tricycle races, eating contests, and a tug of war. More events will be scheduled as the day of the block party approaches.
The goal of the block party is to "show appreciation to all of the Vietnam veterans that have served to protect our country," according to the VFW. "We would like to show our gratitude and appreciation to those who have served defending our country."
All of the money raised during the block party will benefit needy veterans in the Coolidge area, as well as those families in need.
In order to comply with city policies, the VFW will be responsible for providing a certificate of insurance; security in the form of off-duty police officers; lighted and/or reflective barricades; an adequate number of trash receptacles; and portable toilets for public use.
The approval for the street closures, as well as approval for a special events liquor license, was unanimously approved by the council.
Council member Judy Rotz-Lopez said, "(An event like) this is a long time coming. It is time to honor those vets."
©Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc. 2008