From staff reports
National Night Out, an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie, was observed at various locations locally in Franklin, Clarion and Oil City on Tuesday evening.
One Franklin party was held at Christ United Methodist Church on Buffalo Street, where Faith Baker of Franklin said she liked to see all the activities and the emergency personnel. “They’ve served us well,” she said, adding, “I love this.”
Elizabeth Bayne of Cooperstown said she had just gotten off work when her mother called her to say she wanted to take Bayne’s 2-year-old daughter, Melani Futchi, to the gathering “to get acquainted with the emergency personnel.” While she was at it, Futchi also took the opportunity for a few trips down the slide and a turn in the bouncy house.
Debbie Detar, of Oil City, attended with Austin Detar, 5. She mentioned that the celebration allows “kids to play and have fun. We were here last year and (Austin) had a good time.”
The street was closed to traffic for the occasion. It was lined with law enforcement vehicles, fire equipment, and EMS vehicles. There were food vendors, live music, free prizes, a magician, and activities for the youth, such as a dunk tank, child fingerprinting and an obstacle course.
The events are part of a national effort, which takes place annually on the first Tuesday in August.
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