Jacksboro celebrates National Night Out

Jimy Parades was there for the hot dogs.

His sister, Olivia, was there to get her face painted.

Whatever the reason, a large enthusiastic crowd came out last Tuesday, Oct. 5 for the National Night Out event at Jacksboro Middle School. The event was designed as an opportunity for residents to meet with police, fire and first responders and find out more about what they do.

Still, many others were there to just enjoy a nice evening with friends and family. Members of the Jack County Sheriff’s Department passed out items and talked to attendees about their jobs. Attendees were encouraged to speak their minds about what they saw as issues throughout the county itself which needed to be addressed.

Perhaps the most fun had by those young and young at heart was the chance to get inside a vehicle the departments use and find out how things work. A lot of young people wanted to hear the horn on the fire engines or the police car siren.

“That was cool,” one child said, before running off to see what else there was to explore.

There were plenty of things to see and do. Jack County STOMP was there to provide information about its anti-drug programming, along with its mascot CHOMP who posed for multiple pictures with children of all ages.

Another popular place was the Jacksboro Fire Department grill, where firefighters grilled hot dogs and provided chips and drinks free of charge. Longtime griller Zac Searcy said it was time to pass the tongs to some of the rookies.

For the full story, see the Wednesday, Oct. 13 edition of the Jacksboro Herald-Gazette.