(Riverton, WY) – Riverton residents gathered Tuesday evening for National Night Out, an annual community event designed to strengthen relationships between local law enforcement, fire crews, and the neighborhoods they serve.
The Riverton fire and police departments served up free barbecue and held raffles throughout the night, while games kept kids busy across the grounds, from giant Jenga to inflatable slides. A dunk tank proved a favorite for the younger ones, with police officers and parole officers taking their turns on the hot seat.
Children throw balls at the dunk tank target Tuesday in Riverton at National Night Out. h/t Carl Cote Firefighters grill up hot dogs for families gathered at National Night Out in RIverton Tuesday. h/t Carl Cote A girl with tiger facepaint checks out the free barbecue at National Night out in the Riverton Fire Department Firehouse. h/t Carl Cote A line forms outside of the Riverton Fire Department Firehouse Tuesday for National Night out. Hundreds of families showed up for a night of fun games, and education on fire and law enforecement. h/t Carl Cote
The fire department also put on live demonstrations, with a team of firefighters extinguishing a real fire set in the back of a semi trailer furnished with actual household furniture as an audience looked on. Attendees got an up-close look at the fire helicopter and had the chance to learn more about how fire and police services operate in the area.
Girls use the blow-up slide behind the Riverton Fire Department during the National Night Out celebration Tuesday. h/t Carl Cote Maple the dog sits proudly wearing her doggy crocs. h/t Carl Cote Children remove jenga blocks in the hopes of not disturbing the tower for a prize. h/t Carl Cote Kids get their faces painted at National Night out Tuesday in Riverton. h/t Carl Cote Kids play a fishing game for prizes as National Night Out workers attach a prize to the line. h/t Carl Cote Kids took in the sights of Firemen working on putting out a fire at National Night Out Tuesday in Riverton. h/t Carl Cote
National Night Out grew its roots in the suburbs of Philadelphia, where Matt Peskin, a longtime volunteer with the Lower Merion Community Watch program in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, founded the National Association of Town Watch in 1981. Three years later, in August 1984, Peskin and the association launched the first National Night Out as a simple gesture where neighbors were asked to turn on their porch lights and sit outside with their communities as a stand against crime. That first year drew 2.5 million participants across 400 communities in 23 states. The idea quickly grew from porch lights into full block parties, cookouts, safety demonstrations, and visits from police and fire personnel. Today, the event is held on the first Tuesday of August each year and involves thousands of communities nationwide.