Thanks, Sartell Police and Fire Departments, For A Great Family ‘Night Out’ [OPINION]

The Sartell Police and Fire Department hosted a large 'National Night Out' bash at the Sartell Community Center on Tuesday night. It was an awesome night (despite the sprinkles) and my kids had a blast.

First, both of my kids had a chance to fulfill a lifelong dream when they helped to spray a fire hose. Next up: the bounce houses, of course. The event did a great job staffing the bounce houses to keep everything safe and the lines moving and they had places to bounce for little kids and others for the big kids.

We enjoyed a free hot dog and chips dinner from Kwik Trip and Sam's Club and we got to meet Sartell's famous K9 officer, Kimber!

My son saw what it was like in the back of a police vehicle, hopefully for the only time, while our two-year-old enjoyed a Mr. Twisty sundae that eventually just sort of melded with his shirt. I'm still trying to figure out how my kid knew to put his hands behind his back when he went in the police car, but that will have to be a conversation for another day.

At this point, my older kid took off for some laps around Lake Francis on his bike, so I took my youngest for some yard games before we all reconvened at the playground.

Thank you, Sartell, for hosting such a family-friendly event, free of charge, that my whole family enjoyed. See ya next year!