First-ever Perry water battle set for July 2 at Rozar Park

When Perry City Councilmember Riley Hunt visited Nantucket, R.I., last year for Independence Day, he witnessed something that he knew Perry could do on its own.

Director of Leisure Services Kevin Dye said Monday that as part of its annual “Celebration of Heroes,” Nantucket has a big water battle, complete with water balloons and water guns of all shapes and sizes.

“The fire department is shooting water in the air and kids and adults are running around shooting water pistols and throwing water balloons, and everybody is having a good time,” Dye said.

Soon after he started working for the city last year, Dye said Riley approached him with the suggestion that Perry could put on a similar activity as part of a July 4 celebration, and Dye was all for it.

Rather than a free-for-all, Dye said he envisioned a battle against the fire department, “because they’ve got the big guns.” He said the fire department was “psyched up” for the event and he anticipates a fun afternoon.

Dye does, however, harbor no illusions about this being a battle strictly following the rules of war.

“I know that eventually it’ll be everybody turning on everybody and we’ll have a very wet battle royal,” he said. “My only suggestion is that you wear something you’re not afraid of getting wet – or soaked.”

The fun should start around 1 p.m. Saturday, July 2, at Rozar Park, he said. The arena for the combatants, so to speak, will be the parking lot located between the swing sets and the baseball field.

“We’ll supply some of the water balloons, and we’re asking people if they have water pistols or water guns to bring them,” he said. “Bring them all. I’m going to find me the coolest super soaker I can find, and I’ll probably turn on my teammates.”

It definitely will be adults acting like kids, he said with a laugh.

Before Monday’s city council work session, Dye and Hunt were hurling challenges to each other in the City Council meeting room and giggling like a bunch of well, kids.

“We just want everybody to have fun,” Dye said.

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