Milledgeville locals gathered downtown Oct. 3 to celebrate the national Faith & Blue weekend. The initiative is designed to strengthen relationships among the community, local churches, and law enforcement through collaboration and outreach projects.
The Faith & Blue celebration was held in the courthouse parking lot at the corner of North Wilkinson Street and West McIntosh Street.
The event offered an opportunity for the Milledgeville Police Department, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, and Georgia College Campus Safety to interact with residents in an informal setting.
“This event is a part of a national movement going on this first weekend of October to help law enforcement, the local churches and the community to form bonds together so we can build our neighborhoods and strengthen our community,” Bruce Vaughn, a member of First Methodist Church, said.
Vaughn and several others from the First Methodist Church men’s group grilled and passed out hot dogs to attendees.
“Community is very important,” Vaughn said. “Together, everybody wins.”
The event featured live music, several speakers, inflatable slides, and face painting for children as well as food, informational booths from public safety organizations and churches, and a sermon on the importance of unity given by Pastor Fraley of Vaughn Chapel Baptist Church.
“Today we gather for something that is bigger than just a ceremony,” Fraley said. “Faith & Blue is the greatest strength a community can have.”
The smell of grilled hot dogs mixed with the sound of gospel music in downtown Milledgeville as children ran between booths with painted faces. Volunteers from public safety agencies and churches distributed treats and pamphlets on community programs while more music played from a small stage near the courthouse.
“When we moved here in 2021, our church helped us tremendously with getting rooted into the community. Community in itself is a blessing,” said Brenda Holmes, a member of Northridge Christian Church.
As children enjoyed popsicles and ice cream sandwiches, the Faith & Blue event worked toward its mission of building community bonds. The sounds of laughter and conversation filled downtown as Gospel Fest, Faith & Blue, and First Friday took place on the same block, drawing a large, mixed, yet shared crowd.
Faith & Blue events are held annually during the first weekend of October. Information about future events can be found at faithandblue.org.