Superheroes both make-believe and real greeted kids at the Marion County Park on Saturday for Super Hero Roll and Read.

Kids and their families were invited to walk the trail towards shelter three, with signs along the way and a costumed hero or two urging them to read.

And at the end of the trail, they received books and gifts from some real heroes — police and firefighters from around Knoxville and Marion County.

The Marion County Public Health Department and Parents as Teachers sponsored the event; Rachel Garner tells KNIA/KRLS News the object is to encourage families to read together, and spark an interest in learning in their children.

“We encourage kids to read, and we encourage parents to read with their kids so that they can teach them and be their role models, and their first teacher,” says Garner.

She also says the presence of first responders helps children to know and trust them, so they’ll know whom to turn to in the event of an emergency.