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National Night Out is an event that is meant to increase awareness about police programs in communities, such as drug prevention, town watch, neighborhood watch, and other anti-crime efforts. The events are typically organized by block watches, non-for-profit organizations, companies, and police departments. These events can be as simple as backyard cookouts to full-blown festivals.

On Thursday, October 2nd, my town held their National Night Out event. It was originally scheduled in August but it rained that evening, so they postponed it until October. Personally, they couldn't have chosen a better time to do so. It was a much much cooler night than what it would have been in August. I'm secretly hoping they continue to plan it for October but I doubt they will.

This was the first time my family has ever attended a National Night Out event and I must say, it was definitely worth going to. Everything was FREE. As a mom who looks for anything that I can find that is free, this event was right up my alley.

It started at 5:30 but we arrived about 20 minutes early, just to be on the safe side. They were still setting up when we got there. I like to be early to get to the freebies before mostly everyone. They were giving out free informational type stuff, they had free games for kids like face painting, a pumpkin creation table, bounce houses and what not. We walked away with 3 bags full of freebies from pens, activity books to hand sanitizer. We even had the opportunity to get a free hot dog, drink, chips AND yummy ice cream. They were also holding a raffle for people to win freebies such as shirts and back to school supply baskets. We didn't stick around long enough for that beings it was getting dark and it was a little on the chilly side out.