The Village of Sun has weathered some storms recently, and Hurricane Katrina was only the most literal. Police Chief Michael Raymond Jr. died unexpectedly in January, and Mayor Barbara Gibson is battling cancer.

But “Granny” Gibson is a fighter. And the new chief is gaining his footing. Now it’s time for the community and its supporters to gather for a springtime celebration of renewal.

The Sun Street Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 23-24 on the grounds of the new police station. It’s located at the old lock master’s residence on the Pearl River Canal about two miles behind the Town Hall. Besides all kinds of fun, the fair will include a dedication ceremony for the station that will take place at noon Friday. And current Police Chief Greg Bush plans to take advantage of the opportunity to also rededicate the department.

“We’re going to rededicate our commitment to the community, our commitment to protect and serve,” he said. “And one main thing is to honor all fallen officers killed in the line of duty, men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect and serve.”

Bush said the village hopes to develop the area around the new station into a park, complete with camping and a water feature.

“Those are future plans, but I hope we can make it happen pretty quickly,” he said.

In the mean time, everybody’s invited to check the site out during the free fair. There will be arts and crafts booths, a water slide, a jumping inflatable for kids, mazes and archery. The volunteer fire department will bring a truck. The Red Cross will have a first-aid station. Local “under the tree pickers” and anyone who wants to join them will perform live music during the event.

McGruff the Crime Dog, famous for taking a bite out of crime, will be on the premises. The ruff-voiced canine is known to be a long-time friend of Winston Cavendish, who volunteers hours, energy and ideas as a Sun policeman.

Anyone with a fondness for chili and discerning taste buds will be able to pay a few dollars “for a spoon and a cup,” sample the contenders and help decide the winner of the fair’s chili cook-off.

And young folks 8 and up will be able to sign up for the Junior Police Officers Club the Sun department is now forming. Participants will do things like camping, fishing and learning state laws. And they’ll each get a badge and a hat, said Bush.

The Street Fair will be a family-oriented affair, and everyone’s invited to join the family, he said. It will be the first since Hurricane Katrina.

“We’re trying to pull community back together, to instill, again, a sense of togetherness,” said Bush. “We want everybody to come together for a good time to better the Village of Sun and make the community, again, like a family. And it’s not just for the people of Sun. It’s for everybody.”