This year’s Cookies with Characters event drew more than 1,800 people Saturday and raised approximately $28,000 for Meredith’s Miracles, an Andalusia-based non-profit that provides monetary aid for non-medical costs for families fighting illnesses.

“We had a great day,” coordinator Kiley Spears said. “We were even bigger than a year ago. We had over 1,800 people come.”

Spears said official numbers have not yet been tallied, including costs associated with the show that will be deducted from the total, but added it looks as though the event, in its eighth year, generated more money than a year ago.

“What we raise helps us be able to have a padding to help as many families as possible throughout the year,” she said.

Spears said a big thank you has to be given to the show’s many sponsors and supporters, including the more than 100 kids who dress up for and help with the event.

“It’s such hard work,” she said. “We have so many kids that come back each year. I have one guy that has been with me for seven years. It’s a 12-hour day, easy. They are just so devoted.”

The Cookies with Characters event included more than 50 characters ranging from Disney princesses to popular cartoon characters and super heroes.