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By SCOTT McCLOSKEY
WHEELING — As hundreds turned out for the first Cops, Pops & Community event at Wheeing's Heritage Port Saturday, organizers say the success of the event is something they plan to build on in the future.
Designed to exemplify partnership, acceptance, equality and the strengthening of spirit of the Wheeling community, the Ziegenfelder Co. partnered with the Wheeling Police Department and various organizations, including the YWCA of Wheeling, YSS and Ron Scott from Men of Change to host the free community event.
Whether it was participating in one of many relay races with members of the Wheeling Police Department or one of the many games and activities spread out along Heritage Port, the day brought plenty of fun and laughter to the many participating families. The event also included: free food, childrens inflatables, face paintings, and music by a DJ.
Barry Allen, president at the Ziegenfelder Co., said coming out of a year like 2020 it is exciting to finally be able to bring the community together for the free family event.
"We got a great turnout and we're making notes of what we can do better and different … but a free event for kids and families — it's a really cool opportunity," Allen explained.
Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger also said it turned out to be a wonderful event.
"It brings the community together with law enforcement and certainly in today's world that's extremely important," Schwertfeger explained. "We've always taken pride as an agency to try and be leaders. ... We're grateful that we have such partners. It's an amazing day for the first event to have this kind of turnout. It's very impressive. ... But most importantly is the interaction."
Scott echoed comments by both Allen and Schwertfeger.
"This event is very important. ... A lot of folks see demonstrations, the protests, those kinds of things across the country as like a sign that we should do something, we should fix systems — but they need to look at events like this as well as signs that we are improving, we can do better, there are places who know how to do it," Scott explained. "So we should be as much of a beacon with events like this as demonstrators and protestors are. With the bravery and foresight that Ziegenfelders had, I'm certain that other businesses will jump on board."