The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Groen Construction, Holy Rosary Credit Union, Rochester Elks Lodge #1393, Rochester Main Street, Rochester Rotary Club, and Spaulding High School, are partnering again this year in a city-wide celebration to “Paint the City Blue.”

This annual celebration is planned in recognition and appreciation for our Rochester police officers on National Thank A Police Officer Day on Sept.18.

Public spaces will be decorated with blue ribbons, bows, and lights including the Rochester Common, Parson Main, flags on downtown light poles, and the public green space along Route 125. Many are volunteering to help with this effort and local schools are developing artwork that will be displayed at several downtown businesses.

The community is invited to join in to show their support of the Rochester Police Department by hanging a blue ribbon, bow, or balloon on a tree or mailbox which is visible from the street. Replace a porch or walkway light bulb with a blue one, string blue Christmas lights on a small tree or shrub, put up a yard sign, or anything else in the spirit of the event. A limited number of bows, light bulbs, string lights, and yard signs are available at the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce at 18 South Main St., Granite Steak & Grill at 11 Farmington Road, and Holy Rosary Credit Union at 133 Brock St. in Rochester. The items are free, but donations will be accepted. All proceeds will be applied to additional supplies.

The committee will also conduct a Decorating Contest for residents and businesses again this year. Residents and businesses are encouraged to decorate their establishments and submit a photo entry. A panel of judges will review the entries and select the businesses and residences with the best display. For residents, the First Place winner will be awarded $250, the Second Place winner will receive $150, and the Honorable Mention Prize winner will receive $100. Decorating Contest prizes are generously sponsored by Hervey’s Tire Co. Inc. The winning business will be awarded a plaque and will also receive a complimentary e-blast, sponsored by the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. Those wishing to submit their photo entries must email them to thervey@rochesternh.org no later than Sept. 17. The winning entries will be announced on Sept. 22.

In addition, Thank You card stations will be set up at various locations in the city by Sept. 1. The public is invited to stop by and fill out one of the “Thank You” postcards or drop one of your own personal “thank you” cards off for our men and women in blue. Visit and like www.facebook.com/ThankARochesterCop for details about the specific locations.

Sponsorship donations are being accepted. Donations of $100 as a Partner can be made which will be used to purchase supplies for this effort. Checks can be made payable to Rochester Rotary Charities and mailed to Rochester Rotary Club, PO Box 779, Rochester, NH 03866. Or sponsorships can be done online at rochesternhrotary.org.

Any questions on the Thank A Rochester Police Day may be directed to Committee Chair Lauren Jerr at 603-332-0757 or email jerr.l@sau54.org. For more information, visit http://www.thankarc.com/ or on Facebook at @ThankARochesterCop.