Vote for Your Favorite “Hometown Hero” at KyXy 96.5 FM Website

With the 4th of July around the corner, it’s the perfect time to step up and honor the men and women who have given their lives for ours and honor those are serving our great country today.

Right on schedule, the annual “Hometown Heroes” contest, presented by KyXy 96.5 FM, is back. The 2011 San Diego County Fair, presented by Albertsons/Sav-on, wants to honor those who make our quality of life in San Diego better and safer every day, and are deserving of a “thank you!”

You can nominate a “Hometown Hero” at KyXy’s website. Go to http://kyxy.radio.com and enter the keyword “hero.” Nominations can be active-duty military, veterans, or a civil servant — teachers, police, firefighters, etc. Up to 125 nominees will be selected to receive the Hometown Hero honor.

Honorees will receive a family four-pack of tickets for reserved seating at the July 4 concert with the Navy Band Southwest, REO Speedwagon, and the fireworks spectacular, along with a commemorative certificate. The deadline to nominate candidates is June 19.

The “Heroes” will also participate in the Fair’s annual “Hometown Heroes” parade from the Infield Pavilion to the Grandstand Stage. The Circle City Sidewalk Stompers, a yearly Fair favorite will lead the procession. KyXy’s Sam Bass will narrate the parade, along with U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander and Humanitarian, Dr. Andy Baldwin, founder of the “Got Your Back Network,” a non-profit organization providing assistance to families of fallen soldiers.

Dr. Baldwin gained notoriety when he starred in ABC’s “The Bachelor: An Officer and a Gentleman.” Ten of the Hometown Heroes will be chosen to be honored on-stage with Bass and Dr. Baldwin.

For more information, go to www.sdfair.com/events and click on “Fourth of July.”

The 2011 San Diego County Fair’s wheels are in motion to “Race to the Fair” for 22 days starting Friday, June 10, through Monday, July 4. (The Fair will be closed the first three Mondays, June 13, 20 and 27.)