He said their family is trying to stay positive and not focus on revenge or any bitter feelings toward Craig Miller, who has been criminally charged for the firework blast. When they're with Bridger in the hospital, everything is happy, Shaw said.

The entry booth buzzed with activity as parents bought strings of pink tickets for a quarter each and doled them out to children, who exchanged them for popcorn, snowcones or even a mini-train ride.

Spread out over the Bonneville Park lawn were carnival games run by Bridger's self-proclaimed fan club.

"He (Bridger) is the type of person you can tell anything to," said 12-year-old Paige Bishop, who was in charge of the "pop-the-balloon" station. "If you had a problem, he's the one you would talk to first."

Bridger's two young uncles roamed through the crowd, wearing shirts featuring Bridger's face and their title of "uncle" underneath.

"We're like triplets 'cause we're always together," said 10-year-old McKay Stevens, the younger brother of Bridger's mother.

"He's more of a best friend than a nephew," added Connor Stevens.

The twins have visited Bridger in the hospital and said they think he's getting better.

Doctors have put Bridger into a medical coma to keep him calm. The pain and confusion when he's awake have led to high blood pressure and a racing heart, as well as thrashing that could damage the healing wounds.

Jenna Jarvis said she hoped the barbecue would raise at least $5,000 to help with the mountain of medical bills for the uninsured family. Regardless, she and others have plenty more ideas for future fundraisers.

"He's got a long road ahead of him, for being so athletic (before)," said close family friend Race Werre. "I hope (this) helps."

Orem residents Kent and Gayle Brown have never met Bridger, but they came and ate hot dogs because they have grandchildren his age, and it could have been one of them.

"Orem is a community of families," Kent Brown said. "This family has suffered a severe blow. It's a way to show a bit of solidarity."

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E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com