KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Cedarcrest Executive Director Jay Haston stopped by WKBK Radio on Wednesday morning to rally the community behind the return of the annual Battle of the Badges hockey game, a popular fundraiser that pits the Keene Police Department against the Keene Fire Department.

Haston appeared on Good Morning with Dan Mitchell alongside Keene Fire’s Tyler Valente and Keene Police’s Jack LaPorte to preview the March 7 event at Keene Ice.

The exhibition game benefits Cedarcrest, a pediatric home and school on Maple Avenue that serves children with complex medical disabilities. Hasten said the facility is one of only 48 of its kind in the country and relies heavily on community support.

The friendly rivalry has drawn large crowds in past years, often selling out the roughly 800-seat arena. Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under, and organizers encourage residents to buy early at cedarcrestcenter.org.

Police won last year’s contest 5-3 and currently lead the modern-era series, which resumed after the COVID-19 pandemic. The game itself dates back to 2016. A large trophy, donated by local business Engrave-It, now bears the engraved names of past winners and will be presented again this year.

While the competition is spirited, participants stressed that the focus remains on fundraising and community involvement. Eligibility rules have been formalized in recent years to ensure players are affiliated with their respective departments. Law enforcement participants may include officers and other members of the broader law enforcement community, while fire team members may include fire, EMS and health care personnel.

Both teams practice weekly, splitting ice time between Keene and Brattleboro.

Beyond the game, the event features raffles and intermission activities, including a 50-50 drawing and a fan “half-ice shot” competition. Four raffle winners will have the chance to shoot from the faceoff dots during the first intermission, with prizes awarded for the closest shots to center ice.

Merchandise is also available through the event’s social media page, with red apparel for fire supporters, blue for police fans and neutral gray for those backing both teams.

Hasten said the partnership between Cedarcrest and first responders extends beyond the annual game. In addition to attending the matchup, Cedarcrest residents have participated in coordinated skate sessions with police and fire personnel — experiences he described as some of the most meaningful moments of the year.

Battle of the Badges is the organization’s largest community-led fundraiser, Hasten said, aside from its annual Walk & Roll event in the fall.

Organizers are encouraging residents to wear red or blue, arrive early for general admission seating and be part of what has become one of Keene’s most anticipated winter events.

Doors open at 3 p.m., with the puck set to drop at 4 p.m.

Listen to the full interview: