“Home of the Free … Because of the Brave” is the theme for this year’s Strawberry Days celebration in Pleasant Grove and some of the brave members of the community — the firefighters and police officers — will be actively taking part in the festivities. The celebration will take place June 10-18.

To kick off the weeklong celebration, the Pleasant Grove Police Department’s Honorary Colonels will be sponsoring a car show in the Downtown Park, 100 S. Main Street, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 10. There is no cost to attend.

Last year, there were 80 cars on display and this year, more are expected, according to Mike Carter, Honorary Colonel. Twelve exotic cars will also be featured in the show. There will also be a silent auction, music from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s and drawings for prizes. The police department’s K9, Havoc, will be there giving demonstrations.

All of the money raised from the car show will go to help the police department purchase needed equipment. “In the past we have purchased digital radios, locked boxes for each police car to safely store long rifles, a K9, long rifles for each officer who did not have one, gun sights, and many more items,” said Carter.

Beginning at 4 p.m., there will be a car cruise. Any of the cars at the show can cruise along a specified route, which will begin at the park.

Something new this year is the Strawberry Days Safety Fair, which will be held on June 13 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Pleasant Grove Recreation Center, 547 S. Locust Ave.

Firefighters and police officers will be on hand during the safety fair, teaching various ways of staying safe.

“We want to make sure that everybody is utilizing and understanding the purpose of the police and fire departments and staying safe while they’re living in our beautiful city,” said Lisa Coombs, Strawberry Days committee member. While this is the first safety fair held during Strawberry Days, the plan is that it will become a permanent fixture in the yearly celebration.

The fair is designed for families and people of all ages will enjoy it, said Coombs. The Utah Highway Patrol will be on hand with a crash simulator, which will help teach the importance of wearing seat belts. Pleasant Grove police officers will be giving out gun locks to help educate and promote gun safety.

Pleasant Grove High School’s Biking Vikings will be teaching and demonstrating bicycle safety. Participants should bring their own bikes and helmets and will have the opportunity to ride a course.

Firefighters will be there with their gear and their firehouse dog, Arson. Fire safety tips will be shared. Families will have the opportunity to ask firefighters and police officers questions about safety in the home and around the city.

Later in the week, police officers and firefighters will be outside the fire department while runners run off the strawberries and cream they have eaten throughout the week. The annual 5K Guns and Hoses race will be held on June 17. This run involves the police and fire departments and raises money for their respective associations. The 5K and the kids’ half-mile run are open to all ages.

The 5K race will start and finish at the fire station, 92 E. 100 South, at 7 a.m. Packet pick up will be on June 16 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the fire station. The kids’ half-mile race will begin at 7:30 a.m. Cost is $20 for the 5K and $10 for the kids’ race. T-shirts are guaranteed if ordered before June 5. More information about Guns and Hoses and about all Strawberry Days activities is available at www.strawberrydays.org.