(ABOVE: News Channel Nebraska file photo from 2023 National Night Out.)

SIDNEY -- A national event promoting law enforcement and first responders interacting with their community will be held Tuesday, August 6. 

Sidney's National Night Out event will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Aquatic Center.

Krista Bruns, director of Plains West CASA, said it is an opportunity for law enforcement and first responders to interact with the community in a relaxed environment.

"It is on Tuesday, the 6th. It's always the first Tuesday of August. That is not a date that we chose, but because it is a national event, that is done throughout the United States," said Bruns.

This is the fifth National Night Out in Sidney, she said. The Sidney event started when Bruns asked Cheyenne County Sheriff Adam Frerichs if he had heard about National Night Out, and why there isn't a local event.

"I love the community and I love to put things together, and it is a big community party where we're all having fun, so I said 'yeah, I'll do it,'" she said.

National Night Out is designed as an opportunity for residents and law enforcement/first responders can intermingle as community in a positive atmosphere.

New this year, Emergency Communications dispatchers will be in attendance, as will Plains West CASA, and the Doves. 

"When we started it, we will serve about 500-600 hot dogs. We're going to do hot dogs and brats this year. We will have a dunking booth which is always the most fun. It gets a lot of attention and there will be police officers, sheriff's deputies and state patrol. Last year we even had the mayor," she said.

Bruns said the night offers not just free swimming, but activities such as a balloon dome and a train for children.

Other CASA activities: On August 31, bowlers and golfers are encouraged to take part in the CASA Classic, Fairway and Frames, a combination of nine holes of golf and a few frames of bowling, all in fun and support of CASA. On October 19, the Husker Watch Party will be held at the Lazy S Ranch.