The local 3309 Junction City Firefighters will host a MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) Block Party on Saturday, September 16th.

Dave Mortimer, MDA Coordinator, said that muscular dystrophy awareness is the goal behind the block party.

“There’s over 30 different types of muscle diseases,” said Mortimer noting the ALS, the disease recognized by the Ice Bucket Challenge, is among the most widely known. “We just want to put on a wonderful, fun event for the citizens of Junction City; I think it’s important to show members of the community that we’re here to give back, not only when we’re on calls and doing our actual job, but to give back to another cause.”

This year’s block party will once again feature the dueling pianos act, a Kids Zone, and a silent and live auction.

“The Kids Zone is going to be a lot bigger this year…there will be five or six inflatables, a bounce house, and a bungee run,” said Mortimer. “We’re having two, possibly three live singers, live music all day long.”

There will also be some new events including a 2 mile fun run and a car show, there will not be a barbecue competition this year due to low participation in the past.

A mainstay event is the silent and live auction where money is raised to benefit MDA.

“One of the big items is an autographed Eric Hosmer baseball jersey, also we have a gentleman that is going to be making a coffee table with an american flag stained on top; we have things that range from two free zip line passes to the zip line places in Manhattan, many gift certificates to local restaurants, and local businesses too.”

The MDA block party will be at Coach’s Grill and Bar in Junction City on September 16th.