In Their Shoes, a multifaceted public event to honor military veterans and first responders, will be held Saturday at the Clark Pioneer Recreation Center.

Events will include a 17-mile Clark Canyon run beginning at 7 a.m. and a 1-mile walk/run at 10. Photos of area vets are to be posted along the route. An Honor Hall also will be displayed at the rec center.

There will be a car show on the Clark Fire Station lot, and at the center Clark Mart vendors, food, live music, silent auction and a raffle featuring prizes from Clark-based businesses. Raffle prizes include a Ruger .22 revolver with holster donated by Ringler Custom Leather, a custom-made knife by D.E. Friedly, a Dewalt tool kit provided by Yoder Construction, and leather goods by KLS Designs.

All proceeds from the overall program will be donated to Cody-based Downrange Warriors, plus the Clark Volunteer Fire Department and the rec center, which opens its doors to anyone needing to evacuate in an emergency. The opening ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. at the center.

Food from 9-11 a.m. will include Ron Reed and his chuckwagon, known by many from his longtime appearances at Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody. There will be biscuits and gravy for breakfast, and a lunch menu. Clark’s Bennett Creek Church is sponsoring Cafe USA, which will serve burger sliders and root beer floats.

Especially for children up to age 12, there will be games from 11 a.m-2 p.m. Tickets will be available to play fire engine racing, helo rescue, Army guys, medical bag and obstacle course. And face-painting will be available.

In Their Shoes chairman Kristen Adkins noted the help from numerous Clark residents. 

“We want to honor and show gratitude to those men and women who bravely serve our community and our country,” she said. “Run participants literally can show their support by participating ‘In Their Shoes.’ As the wife of a U.S. Army veteran, I’ll be wearing my husband’s boots for the last mile of the Canyon Run.

“For those who’d like to participate, but don’t want to walk or run, we still want you there. Ride your bike, your horse, an ATV or just cheer on those participating. And take a moment to imagine what it’s like to walk a mile ‘In Their Shoes.’”

The idea for the project came following a tragic, destructive fire last summer.

“During summer 2021, our small community was threatened by the Robertson Draw Wildfire,” Adkins said. “I stood outside our home watching a 5-mile wall of fire as it burned out of control. That moment challenged me to do something, anything, to help our community. Then one of our Clark volunteer firefighters, Tracy Lewis, told me, ‘It’s great to see the community come together during a disaster, but it’d be great if we could all come together when there wasn’t one.’

“That stuck with me,” explained Adkins. “And later after being in a half marathon a thought just kept coming back. Why am I running? Can’t I run for a bigger purpose? That’s where the idea of In Their Shoes came from.”