Activities to be held at Henning Festival Grounds

Photo by Chad Koenen
A variety of gifts and items will be available at the annual National Night Out events in Henning on Tuesday. 

By Stella Strong

Reporter

This year Henning is set to host its annual National Night Out (NNO). 

On Aug. 2, from 4-8 p.m. Henning area residents will join communities across the country in an effort to create a space where both local law enforcement and citizens can interact with each other.

“The purpose of National Night Out is not only to provide community-police partnerships, but to get to know your neighbors,” said organizer Jamie Wilson. 

Photo by Chad Koenen
Jon Eckhoff displays the Jaws of Life during Henning’s National Night Out event last year. This year’s event will be held on Aug. 2 at the Henning Festival Grounds. 

National Night Outs started in 1984 as a way to educate communities about their local law enforcement. This event provides a safe place where both local law enforcement and citizens can interact with each other. After 38 years, it has now spread to over 16,000 communities. This year will be Henning’s third year participating in the NNO.

“It has truly been an amazing event all three years,” said Wilson. “(We had) over 400 people each year. I am hoping to have at least 500 this year.”

This year is set to have a ton of fun activities. At 4:30 p.m. Life Link will land a helicopter at the baseball fields. At 6:30 p.m., head over to the event center building where they’ll start playing the movie RV. Throughout the night, there will be tons of games, giveaways and free food thanks to the police and fire department.

There will also be a lot of educational opportunities at this event. Representatives from Otter Tail County will be demonstrating proper car seat safety. Auto Fix will also be at the event, where last year they demonstrated how to change a flat tire. There will also be police and sheriffs, fire trucks, and ambulances that adults and kids can tour. 

The Henning Lions Club will also provide free eye exams to kids. There will also be a Stuff the Bus, so any extra school supplies would be greatly appreciated for this upcoming 2022-23 school year.

“This event is sponsored by almost every business in town,” said Wilson. “To witness all the laughing, all the smiles, all the hugs; that is what our wonderful town of Henning is all about.”

For more information on the National Night Out visit their website at www.natw.org.