🎖️ HEROES HONORED: A WEEKEND OF HEARTFELT APPRECIATION

Celebrating 125 Years of Memories at Bushkill Park & Grove

(1902 – 2027)

Dedicated to the paws, hands, and heroes who protect our health, our safety, and our freedom.

💙 A MESSAGE FROM OUR FURFEST DIRECTOR

At Positive Peer Mentoring (PPM), Inclusive Marriage Moments (IMM), and FurFest at the Grove, our mission is centered on a simple truth: every individual deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated for who they are.

We know that a thriving community isn't built in isolation—it is sustained by the quiet dedication of people working tirelessly behind the scenes. Within both our local Easton area and the national furry fandom, so many of our members dedicate their daily lives to high-stress caregiving, emergency response, and military service. Whether you are suiters, partialers, or supporters by weekend and healthcare workers, first responders, or veterans by weekday, you are our heroes.

For 125 years (1902–2027), historic Bushkill Park & Grove has been a haven where families and fandoms gather to make lifelong memories. Those memories are made possible because of your resilience. This weekend—as part of our Monsters and Musicians on the Midway celebration—we invite you to step away from the weight of your service, put on your ears or your favorite cozy gear, and let our community serve you!

🩺 SATURDAY, SEPT 25, 2027: FIRST RESPONDERS & HEALTHCARE APPRECIATION DAY

Main Festival Day • Car Show • Monster Mash DJ Battle Night

Hours: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Early-Bird Gate Opens at 11:00 AM)

🐾 Why We Honor Our Healthcare & Medical Furs

At PPM, we believe every hand that contributes to a safe, healthy environment is vital. "Healthcare" extends far beyond hospital walls—it lives in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, community group homes, and mental health practices. We see the medical furs, nursing staff, maintenance teams, and caregivers who often work long shifts before coming out to suit and socialize.

🚨 Why We Honor Our First Responder Furs

First responders are the shield of our community. We understand that emergency response starts the moment a call is placed and continues until everyone is safe. We honor the "invisible" first responders—the 911 dispatchers who provide a calm voice in the storm—as well as specialized search-and-rescue teams, park rangers, and animal welfare officers.

👥 Who Is Included (Healthcare & Caregiving Spectrum):

Residential & Community Care: Staff from Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Group Homes, Behavioral Health Centers, and Long-Term Care.
Support & Facility Roles: Kitchen & Dietary staff, Housekeeping, Janitorial, Maintenance, Laundry, and Administrative teams in any care setting.
Clinical & Technical: Nurses (RN, LPN, CNA), Medical Assistants, Physicians, Lab Techs, Imaging Professionals, and Pharmacists.
Community & Mental Health: Home Health & Hospice providers, Traveling Nurses, Therapists (Physical/Occupational/Speech), Social Workers, and Peer Mentors.

🚒 Who Is Included (Emergency & Public Safety Spectrum):

Emergency Services: Professional & Volunteer Firefighters, Water Rescue, EMTs, Paramedics, and Flight Medics.
Law Enforcement: Police Officers, Sheriffs, State Troopers, Correctional Officers, and Constables.
The "First" First Responders: 911 Dispatchers, Emergency Telecommunicators, and Radio Operators.
Specialized Rescue & Public Safety: Search and Rescue (SAR), Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT), Mental Health Crisis Units, Park Rangers, Game Wardens, and Animal Control/Humane Officers.

🎁 Your Exclusive Saturday Perks:

Donation-Only Park Entry: Present your valid work ID, badge, or recent paystub at the gate for "pay-what-you-wish" park entry for you and your immediate family.
Included Rink & DJ Battle Entry: Full access to the evening Saturday Night DJ Battle: "The Monster Mash-up" (8:00 PM – 10:00 PM).
Supporting the FRCC: All proceeds from Saturday's designated "Hero Basket" at the Chinese Auction go directly to the First Responder Chaplain Corps (FRCC), providing mental health and wellness support to front-line workers.

🎖️ SUNDAY, SEPT 26, 2027: ACTIVE MILITARY & VETERAN TRIBUTE DAY

Active Military & Veteran Tribute Day • Bushkill Beats Dance-Off • Closing Ceremony

Hours: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Early-Bird Gate Opens at 11:00 AM)

🐾 Why We Honor Our Service & Veteran Furs

Since 1902, Bushkill Park has stood as a slice of historic American joy that you have sworn to protect. At IMM and FurFest, we honor not only our active duty and veteran furry community members, but also the military families who endure long deployments, frequent moves, and sacrifices. You preserve our freedom to gather, express our creativity, wear our suits, dance on the hardwood, and celebrate safely.

🎖️ Who Is Included:

All Active Duty Military, National Guard, and Reserve members across all branches.
Veterans of all branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force).

🎁 Your Exclusive Sunday Perks:

FREE Festival & Park Entry for the Veteran or Active Duty member.
Service / Veteran Furry Meetup: Join us at 12:00 PM in the Carousel Banquet Room for a dedicated meet-and-greet with fellow military and veteran community members!

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTE ON ADMISSION & FURFEST CONVENTION PASSES

Please note that all complimentary entry options, pay-what-you-wish perks, and hero discounts apply specifically to General Park Admission and public festival activities (including the Car Show, Midway access, historic rides, and evening DJ battles).

Hero discounts do not apply to specialized FurFest Convention Pass Tiers (VIP, Weekend, or Day Passes) or pre-ordered convention merchandise, which are sold separately for full access to Pavilion 4 panels, species meetups, and fursuiting programming.

📄 A NOTE ON IDENTIFICATION

We recognize that many vital roles (such as a dietary worker in a group home or a volunteer SAR handler) do not issue standard clip-on badges.

A recent paystub, a volunteer ID, or a brief letter from your facility manager/department head on official letterhead is 100% acceptable at the front gate. We are committed to ensuring no hero is left behind!

MAKING MEMORIES SINCE 1902 • CELEBRATING 125 YEARS OF BUSHKILL PARK & GROVE

PRESENTED WITH DEEP GRATITUDE BY POSITIVE PEER MENTORING, INCLUSIVE MARRIAGE MOMENTS, AND PANDA PLAYHOUSE. 🎪

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