FAIRMONT — Fairmont Police Department’s flagship event of the year is back again as they participate in the National Night Out.

The event will be held Tuesday, Aug. 5, at the Fairmont Aquatic Park. Admission will be free from 4 to 8 p.m., and a new partnership with Martin County Pork Producers means pork chops on sticks will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. Community Outreach Sergeant Jaime Bleess said they are ready for the opportunity to join in on a national-scale event.

“It’s a chance for us as the Fairmont PD to thank the community for all their support,” he said. “It’s been a long-standing tradition in Fairmont for Fairmont PD to host this event the first Tuesday of August each year.”

What’s newer in this tradition is the venue. Before switching to the aquatic park two years ago, the event had been held in Gomsrud Park. Since the change, Bleess said it has been a successful partnership.

“The kids are very excited about being able to swim for free,” he said. “Families are as well. We see a lot of families of four, five and six people enjoying that time and getting a free meal to enjoy with us.”

And one doesn’t need to enter the aquatic park to enjoy the festivities. The food itself will be grilled outside, and picnic tables will be available on the front lawn of the park.

Another piece of the event outside is the vehicle display. Emergency vehicles from both the Fairmont PD and Fire Department will be viewable, and members of each will be competing against each other in a variety of relays.

“It’s a good way for us to have a little fun and let loose in front of the public so they can see we like to have fun and friendly competition.”

Throughout the year, Bleess said officers receive fantastic support from the community. The National Night Out is a chance for officers to show their gratitude.

“We get that support from the public daily when we are out on patrol, in the community, shopping at the grocery store,” he said. “Off-duty, people stop us and tell us ‘Thank you for what you do’. That support they give us means the world to us as police officers. We feel like Fairmont Night Out is a good way for us to show appreciation for that support.”

It also gives them a chance to introduce new officers to the community in an informal, friendly setting.

Overall, Bleess said he hopes it’s a good time for everyone who can come.

“We would like to see as many people come out and enjoy it as possible,” he said. “I think we’ll have plenty of food for everybody. If they show up as close to 5 p.m. as they can, so we can make sure they get fed, that would be a great plan.”