The National Night Out kickoff event was a huge success as hundreds gathered at Coggin Park for music, food and fun Tuesday night.
Brownwood Chief of Police Mike Corley was very excited about the turnout.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am about it,” Corley said. “It exceeded all my expectations by about 1000%. This is fantastic, unbelievable. I was kind of nervous about how the turnout would be, but when I pulled up, I’m told that I can’t park here (where fire trucks were going to park) and when I had to drive around to find a parking place, I knew we had a lot of people here. Right off the bat, I knew that something good was going to happen.”
Over 500 free hotdogs were served to the crowd provided by Bruner Auto Group and prepared by Heart of Texas EMS at the event along with free drinks provided by Dr. Pepper. Participants also enjoyed jump houses, a climbing wall, watermelon eating contest and much more. The jump houses were provided by Early Blooms and watermelons provided by Cullen’s Hometown Market.
The heart of the event was the first chance for county residents to sign up to host block parties to be held on Tuesday, October 1st for Brown County’s National Night Out. Last year, close to 60 block parties were held during the county’s third National Night Out event, and Corley stated that he hasn’t changed his goals in the number of parties to sign up from 2012’s event, but that he does hope participation continues to grow.
“I haven’t really changed my goals after last year. We set the number of parties higher, which we didn’t hit, but I thought the number of participants we had was higher,” Corley explained. “So I don’t know if the number of parties is the right gauge or not. If we do go by that, I would think 50-60 parties.” Corley further explained that several parties from the 2011 event had combined last year to make larger neighborhood parties which were very successful and well received. It’s hoped that many new neighborhoods which haven’t had parties in the past will sign up. Fifteen block parties signed up for 2013 at the kickoff which exceeded the expectation of organizers for the first chance to register.
At the kickoff event Tuesday, Brownwood High School’s Mighty Maroon Marching Band entertained the crowd with several songs, the BHS cheerleaders helped to host a watermelon eating contest, and Brownwood Municipal Police Association brought their rock climbing wall. Wendlee Broadcasting provided a live broadcast for the event. Brownwood Fire Department, Early Volunteer Fire Department, Brownwood Police, Early Police, Heart of Texas EMS and Guardian EMS brought out their emergency vehicles for the public to tour.
Brown County’s first ever “design a sign” contest was also held in conjunction with the kickoff to design this year’s local National Night Out sign. Gabriel Martinez who is 10-years-old from Early was the winner of the contest and will receive a prize basket provided by Heartland Mall merchants and $100 cash. His artwork will also be featured on this year’s National Night Out promotional signs.
“I was very happy with the contest. I heard we had 20 entries,” said Corley. “The winner had an awesome drawing, it’s cool and it’s going to look really nice.”
All contest entries will be on display at Heartland Mall until October 1st.
When asked if the kickoff event will become an annual event, Corley stated, “How can we not.”
Any county resident who is interested in registering for the 2013 National Night Out event can still do so by calling the Brownwood Police Department at 325-646-2525 or the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce at 325-646-9535.
National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
This is the 30th anniversary of National Night Out nationwide and the 4th year for Brown County participation.
This year’s National Night Out is sponsored locally by Heart of Texas Crime Stoppers, WT Harris Company, Guardian EMS, Wal-Mart, 3M Company, ATMOS Energy, Heart of Texas EMS, Oncor, TexasBank, and Weldon Wilson Electric.
Pictured at top are Brownwood Police Officer Fred Bastardo (left) and Sgt. James Kidd (right) manning the Brownwood Municipal Police Association’s rock climbing wall during the National Night Out kickoff event.
CLICK HERE for a Facebook photo gallery of the event. Photos by Lisa Tipton.
