PARTY IN THE PARK

Blooming Prairie's Third Annual National Night Out will be held Tuesday, July 30, beginning at 5 p.m. in Central Park.
The Blooming Prairie Police Department is again sponsoring the event. Other sponsors include: Minimizer, Jennifer Walsh Real Estate, Keller Williams Premier Realty, B to Z Hardware, the Kris Heichel Team, KIK Marketing and the BP Dairy Queen.   
This year's event will be combined with the Blooming Prairie Bike Rodeo. The Bike Rodeo was held the past two years in the Minimizer corporate parking lot.
Kids are encouraged to bring their bikes and learn more about bicycle safety. A free helmet will be provided by Jennifer Walsh Real Estate and Keller Williams Premier Realty. Walsh will present a testimonial about bicycle safety.
Hot dogs and chips will be served. Karen Peterson of Confections by Karen will provide the dessert. She has become very famous for her homemade cookies and cupcakes.
Typically, National Night Out is held around the country on the first Tuesday of August to promote safety in neighborhoods.
Police Chief Greg Skillestad and Officer Dan Peach organized the National Night the past two years and promise that this year's event will again be a popular community family activity.
More than 300 people attended last year's event.
Many family games will be featured, including ski ball, basketball, soccer games, duck pond, zombie tagdigging for gold and outdoor bowling. A bounce house will also be in the park for the kids.
Other activities planned include a taser demonstration at 7 p.m. Officer Peach said the victim will be a surprise. It could be Officer Peach, or maybe Chief Skillestad. That's strictly rumor.
Police, fire and rescue will have their vehicles at the park and available for tours. Local businesses and organizations will also have displays at the park.
National Night Out gives the public the chance to interact with officers and have a fun community night, says Skillestad. "It will be a fun community event and visitors will not be disappointed," said Peach.
Live music will be provided by DJ Izzy. An outdoor movie is planned at dusk.
The evening will also feature a Rice/Steele 911 Dispatch Center display.
Those attending the evening's activities will also have the opportunity to meet Blooming Prairie's new city administrator.
"National Night Out in Blooming Prairie gives community residents the opportunity to get together and learn how they can be safe together," remarked Skillestad.