Emergency personnel from some local police and fire departments are prepared for a good-natured soaking in an upcoming community fundraiser dubbed Battle of the Balloons.

The idea for the event came to 11-year-old Bella when her mom brought home water balloons and joked about inviting the police department over for a faceoff in their front yard. Bella took this seed of an idea and grew an entire forest of support - with help from borough council and a partnership with the police and fire departments of Catasauqua, North Catasauqua and Hanover Township, Lehigh County.

Battle of the Balloons will take place Aug. 22 at Catasauqua Park and Playground, 501 American St., and will feature a water balloon battle between first responders and Catasauqua Area School District students.

Young participants will be organized by grades: kindergarten to third grade, fourth to eighth grades and ninth to 12th grades. High-schoolers will also be able to race against the first responders in a game of Capture the Flag.

Registration for the event starts 1 p.m., and the battles begin 2 p.m. There is a registration fee of $5 per child, which will include a hot dog, chips, drink and entrance into the balloon battle.

Bella’s mom, Kristina Esterly, reported there is a no-child-left-behind policy and a fund has been established to support families that cannot afford the entrance fee.

The event hopes to cater to the crowd with food vendors, but details are still being refined. Basket raffles, ticket giveaways and baked goods will be part of the event, thanks to help from residents. Donations are still being accepted at this time, and volunteers for setup and cleanup are needed.

Bella believes both the first responders and students need a break after enduring all that last year brought. She said not only is this a great way to cool off, but it will also show the students they can trust their local first responders.

Esterly hopes this time together will teach the kids the police “are here to help” and they “shouldn’t be afraid.”

Further details on the event can be found on Facebook by searching Battle of the Balloons Catasauqua. A registration link for both participation and sponsorship - as well as an Amazon wish list of items still needed - can be found on the event’s page.

Questions can be directed to BattleoftheBalloonsCatasauqua@gmail.com.

All of the money earned from this fundraiser will be donated to help enhance the community for everyone.