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The Asbury Park Police Department and Fire Department will meet for the first annual Gun vs. Hoses flag football game on the beach this weekend to raise funds for their respective charities.

The game starts at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21, with a rain date of the following Sunday. The firefighters will play for the Asbury Park Fire Department Local 384 Charity Fund, which benefits several community holiday dinners for those in need, and the police department will compete for the Asbury Park Toy and Coat Drive, which supplies holiday toys and winter outerwear for local families in need.

There is no admission fee, but donations are appreciated and will be split between the two charities.

The game will be held on the Fifth Avenue beach, and spectators are invited to bring blankets and chairs to root for their favorite teams. The game will also be visible from Max Fish Beach Bar and McLoone’s Asbury Grill.

Attendees can choose to wear a team’s color to show support — white for the Police Department and navy blue for the Fire Department. Guns vs. Hoses T-shirts will be available for sale, with donations and proceeds to be split between the charities.

An after-party will be held at the Wonder Bar starting at noon with a simple buffet and viewing of NFL football games.

The event is intended to kick off the boardwalk’s season of giving, according to a prepared release from boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette. Donations of new and gently used coats, jackets and other outerwear, as well as unwrapped toys, are appreciated.

Also at 10 a.m. on Sunday, a family Pumpkin Pick & Paint will be held until noon. Visitors can pick a pumpkin from the boardwalk’s pumpkin patch and decorate it in return for a donation to the police department’s toy and coat drive.

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