FAIRMONT — The Fairmont Police Department will host its annual Fairmont Night Out event at the Fairmont Aquatic Park on the evening of August 6.

With this occasion, the officers of the Fairmont Police Department recognize the annual night-out event as an opportunity to acknowledge the warm community that supports officers and their devotion to the town’s safety. Nationally, police celebrate the community on the first Tuesday of August. The event promotes and celebrates law enforcement-community alliances and unions.

“It’s a longstanding tradition to do the Fairmont Night Out,” stated Officer Jaime Bleess.

Bleess is a devoted officer for the Fairmont Police Department. He has served the city of Fairmont and upheld safety within it since 2003. Bleess explained that the event has been held annually at different parks in Fairmont for over 25 years.

“There will also be a friendly competition of mini golf between us and the fire department,” Bleess said. “There’s a traveling trophy. It’s fun to watch us all try and one-up each other.”

The Aquatic Parks grounds will be used completely to the advantage of the Fairmont Night Out event. Community members can swim, mini-golf, play, eat, learn about local law enforcement and partake in several more activities. Bleess described the police department’s appreciation for Aquatic Park’s hard-working staff for assisting them with this annual event

He said that August is the perfect time to hold the event, as it takes place following the Fourth of July celebrations and before the Martin County Fair later in the month.

“It’s the ‘dog days’ of summer,” Blees said. “It’s nice to have each other’s company.”

The Night Out event will display the vehicles used, including fire trucks, ambulances and police cars for community members to explore and learn about. Bleess stated children in attendance are often drawn to the police vehicles and what’s inside, and also the stickers that the officers will hand out. In addition, paramedics, SWAT and officers of the police and fire department will be teaching event participants about their roles and what they must perform as part of their duties.

Bleess agreed that teaching the youth about the field could encourage them to seek a similar career in adulthood.

Last year, the police officers noted that the food and beverages that were generously donated by Hy-Vee Grocery Store and Culligan Water had gone out rather quickly thanks to the significant amount of guests in attendance. Thanks to their benevolence, the number of meals provided increased from 500 to 600, with the addition of the Public Works Safety Department bringing picnic tables.

Bleess agreed that, as an officer, the experience was rewarding.

“It’s great to connect. The 500-plus people in attendance get to share food and fellowship,” he said. In addition, Bleess shared that the event for years has been well-received. The police department, this year, expects a massive attendance with possibly a bigger one since the previous year when more than 500 people participated.

“We look forward to seeing people who participated last year. [The police department] enjoys seeing people come and visit. It’s a good mix,” he said.

The meal, including cookies, chips, and hotdogs will start at 5 pm and conclude at 7 pm. The open swim will begin at 5 pm and conclude at 8 pm. Both these opportunities are free of charge and made possible by the generous donations and hard work of Hy-Vee Grocery Store, Culligan Water, the Aquatic Park and the Public Works Department.