Two counties, one night out

LEWISTOWN -- On Tuesday evening, two parks in two counties will fill with police cruisers, fire trucks, children, music and the kind of conversations that don't usually happen during a traffic stop or an emergency call.

National Night Out returns Aug. 4 in Mifflin and Juniata counties, giving residents a chance to meet the people who patrol their streets, answer their calls and respond when something goes wrong.

The Mifflin County event will run from 6 to 9 p.m. at Kishacoquillas Park. Juniata County's event will begin at 5 p.m. at Myers Park in Mifflintown and continue until dusk, when "Zootopia 2" will be shown on a large outdoor screen.

Both events are built around the same idea: bring first responders and residents together when nobody is in trouble.

Lewistown police Officer Derek Bledsoe said the Mifflin County gathering will include emergency vehicles from police, fire, and EMS agencies. Residents will be able to look inside the vehicles and talk with the first responders who use them.

Organizers also hope a medical helicopter will make a fly-in, although Bledsoe said the landing hadn't been confirmed.

There will be children's activities, a bicycle giveaway, adult raffles, and a display of classic cars, motorcycles, and trucks. Free food will include hot dogs, pizza, snacks, and drinks.

Giant donated the hot dogs, while Domino's donated the pizza. Bledsoe said support from local businesses allows organizers to provide most of the event at no charge.

"I believe everything is free," he said. "Without their support, obviously, that's why we're able to put on everything normally, free of charge."

The night will also include one of the event's standing traditions, a tug-of-war between local fire companies and law enforcement.

The firefighters won last year.

Bledsoe said police officers would like the result to be different this time.

"We're hoping to take it back this year," he said.

Heritage Fire Co. will close the Mifflin County event with a fireworks display.

The competition and fireworks give the evening some noise, but Bledsoe said the quieter moments carry the most value. An officer might spend five minutes speaking with someone about work, family, or nothing especially urgent. That brief conversation can matter later.

Police depend on residents to tell them what's happening in neighborhoods because officers can't be everywhere, Bledsoe said. Familiarity makes those conversations easier.

"If I would end up dealing with somebody on the street, they could be like, 'Hey, I remember I talked to this guy at National Night Out,'" he said.

The event gives officers a chance to begin those relationships before a crisis begins.

"My takeaway from it is being able to interact with the community, talk with them and just have a good time," Bledsoe said.

Several miles away, Myers Park will offer its own version of the same evening.

Mifflintown Mayor Roxanne McGinnis said the Juniata County event will feature pony rides from Promise Ranch, a bounce house, and interactive games presented by area agencies, businesses, churches, and other organizations.

Smokey Bear is expected to attend. The Pennsylvania Game Commission's game warden and the county's dog warden are also scheduled to participate.

McGinnis said Life Lion hopes to land a medical helicopter at the park, weather and emergency calls permitting.

Bella Donna will perform music from the 1970s and 1980s from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Fire apparatus and the Port Royal Speedway pace car will also be displayed.

At dusk, FunFlicks will inflate a large outdoor screen for the showing of "Zootopia 2." Free popcorn will be available.

Families who plan to stay for the movie or listen to the band should bring lawn chairs or blankets, McGinnis said. She also suggested bringing bags for the giveaways and other items children may collect during the evening.

Most activities are free. Food trucks will charge for their items, although some free food options will be available. The Knights of Columbus will sell its French fries at a low price, McGinnis said.

The Juniata County event keeps adding organizations and activities. This year's additions include the possible Life Lion landing and appearances by the game warden and dog warden.

McGinnis said the goal is to give families an inexpensive night together while helping them learn what services are available in the county.

"I want them to just have a night of family unity and fun," she said. "A little bit of education, but lots of fun and enjoyment."

National Night Out is observed in communities across the country. Locally, the uniforms and emergency vehicles draw people into the parks, but organizers hope residents leave remembering the people inside those uniforms.

Bledsoe said the main purpose is to strengthen trust between first responders and the public. McGinnis sees the same purpose through the sight of families gathering in Myers Park.

"It warms my heart to see the entire community together and people having fun and just enjoying the evening," she said.

By then, the helicopters may have landed. The tug-of-war may have been settled. The sun may be disappearing behind Myers Park as a movie begins.

But the lasting part may be smaller: a child meeting an officer, a parent learning about a local service, or a resident having a conversation that makes the next one easier.