SIDNEY -- Legion Park was alive with bounce houses, burgers, corn hole games and popcorn for Sidney's first anti-bullying event.

The event was organized by Economic Development Director Jeff Klare with the support of local businesses and organizations.

The event was held at Legion Park Saturday, September 23. Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hotdogs and macaroni and cheese were provided by the Rotary Club at no charge. 

"I'm here with the Cheyenne County Rotary Club. We are so happy to be here at Anti-Bullying Day down at Legion Park offering hamburgers and hotdogs to everyone who attended the event," said Kendra Mitchell, Sidney Rotary Club member.

In addition to the food and fun, the event included organizations including The Doves and Generation Good Respect from Sterling, Colo.

Generation Good Respect is a program started by Kimberly Clark-Ertle to combat bullying and promoting respect of each other.

Local resident Jeremy Ivie attended the event with his two girls.   

"We had a great time; had some burgers, some drinks. The girls played on the bouncy houses; just here to support the community," Ivie said.

Klare said he was pleased with Saturday's event and looks forward to future anti-bullying events.

"Today was a great day here in the city of Sidney. Our first annual ... I repeat, first ... anti-bullying celebration. We had a great turnout. Special shout-out to the Rotary of Sidney for bringing their chuckwagon and serving hamburgers and hotdogs to all the people that came out, and a special shout-out to the City of Sidney employees who supported this, as well as the first responders. This has been a great day, all for trying to end bullying in our community," he said.

Klare added bullying is an epidemic that is not limited to the Sidney area.

"This is a nationwide epidemic, and we've had luck to bring organizations from as far away as Colorado, and we're going to make a difference. I promise you," he said.