MARSHALL — Marshall’s Sounds of Summer festival is starting tonight, with a new event. Two teams of emergency responders, from the Marshall Police and the Marshall Fire Department, will be competing for bragging rights on the softball diamond.

There’s plenty of anticipation leading up to tonight’s Battle of the Badges softball game, firefighters and police said.

“As we get closer to it, everyone is super excited,” said firefighter Brady Mellenthin, who will be among the MFD members playing in the game. “We’ve been doing Sounds of Summer for years, and it’s kind of fun to put a little twist on it.”

“I feel like there’s going to be a lot of people there,” said Sgt. Ben Rieke, of the Marshall Police Department. Rieke will be leading the MPD team at the game. “Obviously the police department and the fire department are excited.”

The Battle of the Badges game is a new event for Sounds of Summer. The action will start this evening at the Amateur Sports Complex in Marshall. The event will also feature a meal by the Hitching Post, that will raise funds for Marshall youth athletics.

“I think there’s going to be a really good crowd, and the weather’s looking nice,” said Brock Klaith, of the Marshall Sounds of Summer committee. The softball game was a fun way to expand the festival another night, while helping a good cause, Klaith said. Rieke and Deputy Fire Chief Jake Olsen will be serving as coaches for the two teams.

Klaith and local responders said the event will have some surprises to add to the entertainment.

“It sounds like there might be some other games between innings,” or other fun twists to the event, Rieke said. However, firefighter Aaron Mathiowetz said, “Neither side knows what’s going to happen.”

There has been some trash-talking leading up to the game, though it’s all in good fun, responders said.

“You’ve always got a little rivalry between firefighters and police,” Rieke said. “But we love those guys.”

“There’s definitely a rivalry going on,” Mathiowetz said. “I think we’ve got a good shot at winning.”

Earlier this month, the MPD filmed a humorous video with officers on the ball field, challenging the fire department. Firefighters responded with their own video. Both clips have gotten some positive reactions and shares on Facebook.

Both teams have also been trying to get some practice in this summer, to get ready for the game. “We’re ready to roll,” Mathiowetz said of the firefighters’ team.

Rieke said MPD officers have also held a few practices together to prepare for the event.

“We’re going to win,” he said.

Klaith said organizers would like for the Battle of the Badges to become a regular event, possibly featuring other first responder groups from the area.

“We’re hoping this continues,” he said.

“We’re very appreciative of Brock for putting it on,” Rieke said of the Battle of the Badges. “It’s a good community event.”

Gates for the Battle of the Badges open at 5:30 at the Amateur Sports Complex. A fundraiser meal by the Hitching Post will be $10, and feature a hamburger, chips, coleslaw and beverage.