The town of Silver City will be hosting the Battle off the Badges: Awareness Games on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The event will be held from 11 am-4 pm on Pope Street, in front of Mick's 33s. 

Each year, every town Councilor is asked to do a project to celebrate Territorial Charter Day. Battle of the Badges will be the project for Mayor Pro Tem/District 4 Councilor, Guadalupe Cano.   First responders from the Silver City Fire Department, Silver City Police Department, Grant County Sheriff's Department, and Gila Regional Medical Center EMS will be participating in this year's games, with each department hoping to end the games with bragging rights. 

"This is a great opportunity for the community to get to know our first responders in a fun environment, so when we have to call upon them in an emergency situation, we all feel more comfortable and have more trust in them, " said Mayor Pro Tem Cano. 

This year's games will feature the opportunity for first responders to briefly experience what it is like for those who deal with physical disabilities. The games will focus solely on physical disabilities because it is next to impossible to simulate developmental disabilities or the experiences of the neurodivergent. 

Games that simulate what it is like to be mobility, visually, and hearing impaired are meant to help our first responders empathize with those in our community who deal with such conditions on a daily basis.  The games will feature a wheelchair race and an obstacle course on crutches. There will also be a trivia portion to the games, which will test first responders' knowledge of both the disability community and our community's history. 

"While our first responders can't fully experience what those of us in the physically disabled community live through every single day, this is an opportunity for them to get a small glimpse into what a large portion of the community faces," said Cano.  "At the same time, we are going to make it fun, so we hope everyone comes out to cheer for their favorite agency. "

The event will also include vendors and several informational booths.  There will be live music provided by the Illusion Band. The town is providing food, while supplies last,  which will be prepared by Mick's 33s staff. The town has also partnered with Hidalgo Medical Services and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Grant County for this event. 

If anyone has questions about the event, they may contact Mayor Pro Tem Cano at 575-659-0148.