Jim Thorpe is one of 284 communities across America to celebrate National Night Out, an event to promote police and community partnerships. It’s one of the first local towns that made National Night Out an annual event more than 15 years ago.

The momentum hasn’t diminished at all, as evidenced Tuesday night when the National Night Out was held at Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall.

Several hundred children and adults attended.

There were drawings, handouts, activities, refreshments and entertainment.

Jim Thorpe Police Office Lee Marzen presented the children with paper police badges as well as small gifts.

At a stand next to Marzen was state Trooper Shannon Grundman of the Lehighton barracks who had note pads and other items she handed out, as well as conversed with the children.

There was face painting and sand art.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Jocelyn Davis, 8, of Jim Thorpe. “It was fun talking to the police officers and I liked getting all the stuff.”

Fire apparatus from throughout the Jim Thorpe area was lined-up next to Memorial Park and children were encouraged by the volunteer firefighters to ask questions and climb aboard the vehicles.

Several Scouting units had booths at Memorial Park. The Jim Thorpe Lions Club had a roulette wheel with prizes on every slot.