National Night Out set for Tuesday

Jacksboro and Perrin will celebrate National Night Out Tuesday with an evening of fun for the whole family.

National Night Out is an annual community-building event to encourage citizen and police partnerships to make neighborhoods safer places to live.

In Jacksboro, the police department has organized the event for the last five years and it continues to grow.

“The first year we had it at the new fire station right after it opened and we had maybe about 50 people,” said Police Chief Terry McDaniel. “Last year, we had in the hundreds.”

On hand will be law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics along with their vehicles and some equipment for children and curious adults to check out.

There will be prizes, games, food, drinks, a bounce house and a dunking booth. All the food and activities will be free of charge.

“I’ve got 300 hot dogs ordered. We had 250 last year and ran out,” McDaniel said.

As the event has grown, so has the positive feedback McDaniel has received from those who have attended.

“I think the community enjoys getting together and getting to know their police officers, firefighters and emergency personnel and that’s what it’s all about,” he said.

The event will run from 6-9 p.m. at the Jacksboro Middle School.

Perrin’s event will be organized by the Perrin Community Improvement and Crime Watch.

Kenny Salazar said there will be music, food and lots of activities including a bounce house and face painting. Those who come are encouraged to bring canned items for the Perrin Food Pantry.

The event will take place in the Perrin School parking lot adjacent to Highway 281 from 6-8:30 p.m.