National Night Out, an event promoting police-community partnerships, will return to Bruer Park in Truesdale from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Truesdale City Manager and City Clerk Elsa Smith-Fernandez said National Night Out is free to attend for all ages and “kind of a jam-packed event.”
Truesdale also hosted the event in 2025, and much will remain unchanged for this year’s event, although one new addition will be a reptile show courtesy of the Warrenton Police Department, Smith-Fernandez said.
At 6 p.m. there will be a water balloon toss contest, followed by a K9 demonstration from the Warren County Sheriff’s Department at 6:45, a free acoustic concert from Nashville recording artist Ken Domash at 7:30, and fireworks at 8:45 p.m.
“Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August,” according to the national campaign website.
“Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.”
National Night Out came up at the July 23 Wright City Board of Aldermen meeting, where Mayor Michelle Heiliger called it “an important event” and discussed the form that the community-building campaign takes in Warren County.
“Every city in Warren County takes it for two years and hosts it,” she said. “Wright City did our two years, so now Truesdale, this is their second year, and then next year it will go back to Warrenton, and then it comes back around.”
It’s an evening to bring the whole family and an opportunity to engage with first responders, “but Truesdale just knocks it out of the park with this, they do an amazing job with this event,” Heiliger said. “So I strongly encourage everyone to go and show support for our people and bring your families. It’s a lot of fun.”
Wright City Police Chief Tom Canavan said there will be bounce houses for the kids and Smith-Fernandez mentioned that the local Elks lodge will be bringing a water slide.
“All members of the community are encouraged to attend and meet your area first responders,” Canavan said.
All three county commissioners will attend this year’s event, Truesdale Mayor Jerry Cannon said at the July 22 Board of Aldermen meeting.
Various law enforcement agencies will have their vehicles on display, including a Missouri State Highway Patrol boat, and the Warren County Sheriff’s Department will host a drone demonstration.
Wright City Fire Protection District will be giving away bike helmets, Smith-Fernandez said, and there will also be refreshments available including free hot dogs, chips and water, as well as popcorn, sodas and snow cones. Organizations such as Turning Point Advocacy Services and the Warren County Health Department will also participate in the event, she said.
“There’s something to do throughout the night. We always encourage people to bring their lawn chairs and come and hang out, just listen to music, visit the booths, kind of see what’s going on, enjoy a free meal,” Smith-Fernandez said, adding that National Night Out is one of her favorite events of the year.
“It’s a great opportunity to come out, meet your local first responders, see what organizations are out there, how they can help or how you maybe can help them,” she said. “It’s just really a great event for connecting with those around you.”
