Page 14 - AUGUST2023

Page 14
Community
By Donna rhoDes
BRISTOL – Each year, Na- tional Night Out takes place on the first Tuesday in August when people across the country gather together with their first respond- ers and local service agencies for an evening of fun and safety ed- ucation, but this year, the Town of Bristol decided to jump ahead by hosting their own Community Night Out on June 29th.
“Recognized as a night to bring citizens, law enforcement, and public safety folks together, our focus is on building partner- ships, highlighting resources, and celebrating community,” Bristol Community Events Committee representatives said.
Working in conjunction with the police and fire departments as well as other community part- ners, the committee recognized that mid-summer is quite a busy time in Bristol. Rather than ignore the importance of a “Night Out” mission, the Events Committee decided to instead host “Bristol
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Bristol Community Night Out
August 2023
Community Night Out” at the start of the summer season this year. Scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. that day, Kelley Park filled up with locals and seasonal guests even before events began.
Activities for children were a large part of the evening. Young- sters were able to help put out sim- ulated fires at two set-ups provided by the Bristol Fire Department and check out their big fire trucks and ambulances, The N.H. State Fire Marshal’s Office sent their pal Sparky and his remote control fire truck up to join in on the fun, too. In addition to all of that, kids got to take home plastic fire helmets, activity/coloring sheets, and other treats while adults were provided with an “EMS Vault” to hold vital medical information that is useful in the event of an emergency.
Bristol Police Department had their officers on hand to greet the boys and girls, answer questions, and hand out some frozen treats. Perhaps the most favorite activity though was the opportunity to
Boys and girls enjoyed working with members of the Bristol Fire Dept. to put out simulated house fires with a hose, one of many activities for families who attended Bristol’s Community Night Out in June.
ers were happy to spend time with the citizens they are dedicated to serve and protect.
“This is a great night for the community,” Bean said. “There’s a lot more people than we thought that would come down, as well as visitors from all over and all kinds of vendors, too. I’m really pleased!”
Besides the First Responders, other vital organizations that took part in the event were: Newfound Senior Services; Bristol Rotary Club; Mid-State Health Center; Bristol Sustainability Commit- tee; the Town of Bristol; Bristol Knights of Columbus- Newfound Area Secret Santa Program; Voices Against Violence; and Communi- ties For Alcohol- and Drug-Free Youth (CADY). Also on hand were community partners from Tapply-Thompson Community Center; Newfound Lake Region Association; Bristol Community Services; TD Bank; and Respond- ers Together NH at Kilter Fitness and Community Health.
Main Street Station in Plym- outh joined together with their partners at North Station Diner in Rumney to provide food for the evening while other “Fun Super Heroes” supporting the event were: Franklin Savings Bank; Homestead Restaurant and Tavern; Isaac Newton Electrical Contractors; LaValley Building Supply; Merrill’s Property Maintenance; Michael Sharp Enterprises; New England Forestry Consultants; Newfound Country Store; Twin Designs Gift Shop and West Shore Marine.
“Our Summer Fun Sidekicks this year were also Relaxation Sta- tion and TD Bank,” the commit- tee said.
meet Officer Nick Kelley, his K9 partner Arro, and even pose for a photo or two with them.
Besides fire and police heroes, the area is also served by officers from N.H. Fish and Game, there- fore, local Conservation Officer Jo- siah Bartlett was on hand to greet everyone. He brought along his department’s educational trailer, filled with displays of mounted animals found in the state and in- formation on their behaviors and habitats. CO Bartlett also provided pamphlets about Fish and Game’s Operation Game Thief campaign as he spent time getting to know the residents and visitors who hike, fish, hunt, and enjoy other types of recreation in the New Hampshire
PHOTO BY DONNA RHODES
outdoors.
Free food, a climbing wall,
music by “The Solitary Man,” along with lots of other great ac- tivities filled the night with fun for everyone. One couple said they came down from Rumney be- cause they loved the entertainment planned for the event.
“We usually come to events here a couple of times each sum- mer, and we heard Solitary Man would be playing here tonight. We’ve seen him a couple of times in the past, so we decided to make the trip down so we could hear him play,” they said.
Police Chief Kristopher Bean said the night was very successful, and he and his fellow first respond-
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