“We were kind of nervous last year as to how it was going to turn out, but then people started coming and it was great,” said Sheriff Doug Timmons. He estimated that several hundred people filtered through the park during the 2019 Night Out, enjoying a free meal and visiting the booths and exhibits set up by participating agencies.

National Night Out, held on the first Tuesday in August, is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community.

Featured this year are representatives from the Sheriff’s Office, Ellsworth-Jewell-Stanhope Police Department, Conservation officers, Webster City Fire Department, Webster City Police Department, Van Diest Medical Center, Iowa State Patrol, The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Department of Natural Resources and Motor Vehicle Enforcement.

“Webster City Custom Meats are providing brats again this year, and Hy-Vee and Fareway are helping us out, too,” Timmons said. “Southfield Wellness Community is providing us with cookies and Casey’s will provide water and ice.

 DCI Agent Scot Ely demonstrated some of the equipment used in his job at the 2018 event. Trying out the process were Erik Hoveland and Aiden Hoveland, 11.

“And there will be a special dessert that night as well,” he said, but declined to reveal the special treat, sponsored by Availa Bank.

Timmons said the Cattlemen’s Association is providing the grill to cook the brats and hot dogs and Stratford Stride will be doing the cooking.

There is no charge for the meal, he added.

In addition to the meal, Timmons said they hope to have the National Guard climbing wall and will have the old sheriff’s car on display. Greg Campbell of Ellsworth will provide a bouncy house for the event, sponsored by WCF Financial Bank. Crime Stoppers will offer a Nickel Scramble for the kids.

There will be plenty of photo opportunities for those attending, he said.

— Daily Freeman-Journal file photo by Anne Blankenship Peter Amstalden performed at 2019 Hamilton County’s National Night Out held at West Twin Park. He’ll return to perform at the 2019 event set for Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Peter Amstalden will provide musical entertainment.

Timmons said he wanted to plan a night out event after attending one in Fort Dodge.

“That was my first year in office. I was too busy to put it together and we didn’t want to do it halfway,” he said.

But last year, with the help of many agencies and volunteers, the National Night Out came together and was a definite success. He said it was also a great way for people to meet law enforcement officers and to see they are no different that themselves.

“We have kids, we’re just normal, don’t be afraid to come up and talk to us,” he said. “We love talking to kids.”

The event is also gives the various departments a chance to show the equipment they use in their jobs, Timmons said. Law enforcement vehicles, fire trucks and ambulances will be on display for community members to see.

“This event is a way for us to let people know that fire, EMS, officers are here to help them,” he said. “And that way they won’t feel so nervous around us.”

Additionally, there will be several other agencies, like ISU Extension, Building Families, Community and Family Resources, Crisis Intervention, Special Olympics and others, who will have a variety of information to share.