RIRIE — Mountain River Ranch owner Tran King smiled as he watched those who came to attend his third annual American Hero Celebration Saturday afternoon.

    Friends, family members and strangers he’d never met were just happy to be there, taking in the festivities and rubbing shoulders with courageous war veterans.

    “It’s just a darn good day,” he said.

    “These people around me are the ones who made it possible—it’s that simple,” he added.

     A military plane flyover, classic car show, live music and grilled food were a big hit with the crowd. The youngsters kept busy with rides of the pony, wagon and ATVs.

    And perhaps the best part—everything about this event was free.

    Local vendors contributed their time and resources at no cost to make it all possible.    

A donation booth gave event goers the chance to help injured soldiers through the Wounded Warrior project and the chance to win a prize through the raffle.

    “I just feel blessed to be an American and feel blessed that we can do the things we can do in a free way,” said King.

    “A lot of people have given their lives and I want to give back,” he added.

    For the past 28 years, King has owned and operated his wildly successful ranch in the Upper Snake River Valley, which sits on roughly 100 acres just around the bend from Heise Hot Springs.

     His popular Meadow Muffin Dinner Theatre runs both in the summer and winter  seasons, drawing thousands from around the nation to the Ririe area.

    Those in search of some good, old-fashioned entertainment know they will find that and more at Mountain River Ranch. Horse-drawn wagon rides and Wild West shoot outs are just the beginning of a good time. The RV Park, campground and cabins for rent beckons travelers from all walks of life out to enjoy Mother Nature in a slow-paced environment.

    “We do two events a year that are community give backs and this is the first one to kick off our summer season,” said Julie Anglesey, King’s daughter and manager of the theatre.

    In November the ranch holds a food drive, offering free sleigh rides and hot cider in exchange for cans of food.

    “It’s wonderful, you can’t beat that sort of thing,” said 79-year-old Tony Last, the ranch’s camp host who engaged in a friendly rock-climbing competition with 74-year-old King during the celebration. King won.

    King said he plans to keep giving back to the community. His American Hero Celebration will be held the Saturday before Memorial Day every year.

    “It’s one of those things we feel pretty passionate about,” said Anglesey.