SALUDA — The City of Saluda accepted a $3,400 grant this week for this year’s Play Day.

The Saluda Board of Commissioners met Monday and accepted the grant from the Polk County Community Foundation’s Free Community Events Grant.

Saluda City Manager Jonathan Cannon said the city hosts an annual Play Day in September.

“The Polk County Community Foundation has provided funding for this event over the last few years,” Cannon said. “Attendance has grown for the event annually.”

In giving the grant, PCCF said it encourages the city to purchase refreshments and other supplies from businesses locally owned and operated that support our greater Polk County community and make it stronger.

“Free Community Events are designed to build community through face-to-face social interactions,” stated the PCCF.

Events paid for through Free Community Grants must be free and open to the public, meaning attendees may not be asked for contributions and the events may not include the sale of food or merchandise.

The PCCF grant states that when awarding Free Community Event grants, the committee considers whether people coming with money and people coming without money will have the same experience. The donor wants children, in particular, to have no idea that there is a difference between his family’s financial circumstances and those of all the other families attending, because at no point during the event was there an opportunity to buy anything, donate to any group or tip anyone.

The city plans to use the grant to purchase T-shirts, refreshments, provide fitness, game station, supplies and a DJ, for marketing and for administrative time.

The city asked for more funding this year, due to anticipated growth in attendees and an effort to purchase refreshments strictly from Saluda businesses.

Saluda has been holding a Play Day for a few years, which invites the community for fun and games  on a free day of play. The city was required to hold an event annually to celebrate its being designated a Playful City USA for Saluda’s recreational opportunities.

Saluda first received the Playful City USA designation in 2012, and was selected for its outstanding dedication to play.

The Saluda Board of Commissioners unanimously accepted the grant during Monday’s meeting.

Details of this year’s Play Day event will be published later in the year.