Several Clay County cities recognized their public safety personnel and departments with carnivals and more during National Night Out the week of Aug. 1.
The events featured public safety personnel talking with local residents – including a lot of young children – showcasing fire trucks, ambulances, police cruisers and more. There were also petting zoos, inflatable mazes and bouncing rooms. All free!
Like other locations, the Liberty Night Out was joined by the Clay County Sheriff’s Department and drew hundreds of residents to the activities, one of the biggest Nights Out ever.
Other events included a spectacular bubble party, giveaways, animals for adoption and more. For those who worked up an appetite, food trucks also were on site.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.
Liberty’s event was in the parking lot east of City Hall, a new location to allow more room than previous locations near the County Courthouse.
Gladstone held its event Aug. 4 in Happy Rock Park East. Additional features there included a police drone demonstration and a Life Flight helicopter display. Other locations included Excelsior Springs, Kearney, Smithville and Claycomo.
