PORTAGE | Judy Gehrels wants to add a new hue to the traditional red, white and blue this Independence Day.

She wants everyone to wear pink and join her crew in marching and carrying "Old Glory" in Portage's annual Fourth of July Parade as part of a "sea of pink" to show support for the fight against breast cancer.

Gehrels, of Portage, is one of the Warriors in Pink, a group that is waging its battle against cancer through fundraisers and activities designed to raise awareness.

On Saturday, Warriors in Pink and Starbucks will host a Family Fun Fest for the Cure. The event, reminiscent of a school carnival, will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Augusta Center on U.S. 6 (Menards shopping center).

"We're hoping it's a big deal," Gehrels said.

Miss Pam will be on hand with her balloon sculptures and face art. Bitty Buttons will tell stories and offer hugs and smiles to youngsters. Other activities include games, food and chair massages. Proceeds will go toward fighting breast cancer.

A free concert, Hope Rocks!, follows from 4 to 7 p.m., and will feature local bands performing in the same location.

On the Fourth of July, the six Warriors in Pink are inviting those battling the disease, survivors, family members and supporters to join them as they "Walk for Freedom from Breast Cancer" in the annual Portage parade. The parade steps off at 11 a.m. from the Aylesworth Elementary School parking lot, 5910 Central Ave. The parade travels south on Willowcreek Road and will end at Lute Road.

Besides, Gehrels, the Warriors in Pink include Sheila Young and Leah Wells, both of Portage; Amy Benson, of Hobart; Teresa Rivera, of Chesterton; and Ann Marie Andros-Serrano, of Hobart. They will join thousands of other people at the Chicago Breast Cancer 3-Day benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust. After months of training and fundraising, participants will walk 60 miles during three days to raise awareness and funds for research and community outreach programs.

They have lots of honorary Warriors in Pink, also, who will not make the 60-mile walk with them but who have joined their fight, Gehrels said.

"I felt we needed to be more about awareness, and money would come," Gehrels said. "To me, what was most important this year was raising that community."

BREAKOUT 1

If you go:

A Family Fun Fest for the Cure will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Augusta Center (Menards shopping center) on U.S. 6. Activities include Adopt-A-Ducky, face painting, inflatables, Crafting for the Cure, balloon lady, bike raffle, Corn Toss for the Cure and food. Proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Hope Rocks! is a free concert featuring local bands that will follow, from 4 to 7 p.m., in the same location.

FYI: Call (219) 762-7803.

BREAKOUT 2

Fourth of July Parade

The annual Portage Fourth of July Parade will step off at 11 a.m. July 4 from the Aylesworth Elementary School parking lot, 5910 Central Ave. The parade will continue south down Willowcreek Road and end at Lute Road. Parade applications are available at the mayor's office, 6070 Central Ave., or at RE/MAX Hometown Professionals, 3200 Willowcreek Road. The fireworks again will be provided by Melrose Pyrotechnics and will start at approximately 9 p.m. at the Willowcreek Middle School football field, 5962 Central Ave. The Portage parks department again will offer refreshments for a fee and will provide activities prior to the fireworks.

FYI: Call (219) 762-1675 or (219) 762-5425.