‘Battle’ brings crowd downtown

It was a friendly morning of competition and community entertainment this past weekend as the Clinton police and fire departments went head-to-head in the return of Battle of the Badges.

Battle of the Badges has been in hiatus for quite a few years, the last event happening in 2017. The event itself pit the groups of Clinton’s protectors against each other in a set of fun active games, with both sides vying for the winners plaque for this year’s event.

There were four events in total — rescue a cat from a tree, dart throwing, a donut-eating contest, and, lastly, the bucket and water hand off. It was a tight bout the entire time and, at the very end, there was a pair of back-to-back ties for the final challenge. Though the water hand off ended in a stalemate after two attempts, the verdict at the end gave the police department the nod with a 2-1-1 win.

During the last competition in 2017, the police department also captured the victory.

“This is Officer Kaleab Stevens of the Clinton Police Department — we’re out here during the Battle of the Badges against Clinton fire and our dynamic team won,” Stevens said confidently. “We’re always on top — always — and we also will be, so any fire department out there that wants this smoke, come see us.”

Another part of the event was The Celebrate America Downtown cruise-In and parade event from local car club Ol’ Lightnin’ Rods Car Club. The club has become synonymous with Downtown Clinton events and they were back again. The crew was led by former club president, orginal member and cruise-in grand marshal David King as they zipped around the courthouse before lining the streets with all their lighting-hot rides, from Model-T’s to the newest Corvettes. Also accompanying them was the Sampson County Tractor Club.

As one of the many figureheads that helped bring back Battle of the Badges, which returned in style alongside the cruise-in, was Planning and Main Street Director Mary Rose. It was her desire, and others’, to bring this event back, with an aim to support and grow downtown Clinton.

“I’m very appreciative of the Ol’ Lightnin’ Rods Car Club and the Sampson County Tractor Club for coming out with tractors and cars,” she said. “This event is pulled together in celebration of the upcoming Fourth Of July, but it’s also to encourage people to shop local. The turnout today was great, even despite how hot it was, so this was just a perfect example of Samson County coming together to make Sampson stronger together.

“Our police and fire did a great job — it was a lot of family fun, friendly activity and good-spirited competition. The children really seem to enjoy it as well and that is what these events are all about.”