Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Keweenaw County’s Public Safety Day is an educational event, but also a perfect opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy socializing, games and a great day at the park.

MOHAWK – The annual Keweenaw Public Safety Day is returning for its eighth year from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, at the Allouez Township Park, in Mohawk.

Keweenaaw County Sheriff Curt Pennala said the first Public Safety Day was conducted in 2017 and has continually grown and expanded every year as more and more people attend the event.

As with previous events, this year’s focus is on area youth. The bouncy house will be back again, and games for kids, along with demonstrations by firefighters dressing with full equipment.

“This year there will be cornhole games with the deputies, and basketball with the deputies will be back again this year,” Pennala said.

Basketball with the Deputies was added last year and was very popular with youth. There will also be equipment and vehicles of the Keweenaw County Sheriff Off-Road Rescue on display. Pennala said all of the first responder agencies in the county, including law enforcement and EMS will be present. The Road Commission will also have vehicles on display.

New this year are safety demonstrations from UPPCO and also a Stop the Bleed presentation, which demonstrates applying tourniquets and stopping other large bleeding wounds. Stop the Bleed was added to the day in 2023.

Stop the Bleed is a national initiative aimed at empowering bystanders to take action in bleeding emergencies, and it is successfully taught to children through age-appropriate programs. These programs, often incorporating hands-on practice with simulated wounds and materials like towels, tourniquets, and even “dirty, smelly socks” (for packing wounds), teach children how to identify life-threatening bleeding and take steps to control it, potentially saving lives.

As in the past, there will be free hotdogs, chips, ice cream and pop for the public to enjoy.

The event is for the public to meet and greet members of the law enforcement, fire, medical services, and other groups serving them.

Pennala said Public Safety Day has been a great event for the community.

“It helps build trust with the public and helps to build positive relationships and allows people to come out have conversations with somebody who’s behind a badge or behind fire gear,” he said. “And not only to have those conversations with agency personnel as people, but also the public has the opportunity to ask them what they do on their jobs and learn about the profession.”