PROCTORVILLE — Honoring first responders is the reason behind the Fourth Annual 9/11 Service Person Appreciation Day, sponsored by the Proctorville branch of WesBanco.

This year the event will be on Saturday in a new location, the Lawrence County Fairgrounds, instead of the branch’s parking lot.

“We’ve outgrown it here,” Devinh Gibson of WesBanco, said.

The day will start with an opening ceremony at 2 p.m. by the VFW Post 6878 of Proctorville with a flag-raising and a 21-gun salute.

Inspired by the heroism of the first responders after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon, Gibson wants to show local first responders the depth of appreciation the community has for them.

So much so that Gibson has designed a T-shirt that will be given away at the appreciation day for the first 100 who are members of the military or emergency response teams. The VFW Post will also sell some extras.

Emergency response vehicles, including the Health Net helicopter, will be on display at the fairgrounds. A cruise-in car show will also start at 2 p.m. that day with registration set for at noon.

The Proctorville Masonic Lodge will selll pulled pork sandwiches, corn dogs and hamburgers with the proceeds going to the lodge’s community fund.

“It’s there if there is someone in need in the community,” Gibson said.

There will also be inflatables for children and door prizes

“Everyone is welcome and there is no fee to get in,” Gibson said.