A Lovely Evening For A National Night Out

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - On this Top 10 Weather Day, it's not just the perfect time to get outdoors.

It's the perfect time to get outdoors and meet your neighbors.

National Night Out celebrations were going on across the state Tuesday evening.

Joseph's Grill in St. Paul is holding a classic car show, including an old time rock-and-roll band.

Over in Minneapolis, neighbors are hoping to extend their streak. For the past three years, they've had the most partygoers in the country for National Night Out.

The goal of National Night Out is to get neighbors together and promote safer communities.

There are hundreds of local get-togethers where neighbors will talk about crime prevention and partnerships with police.

The National Night Out event sponsored by the Woman's Club in Minneapolis is in its seventh year. A lot has changed since the beginning.

"Diverse people of all ages and incomes, all cultures," Woman's Club of Minneapolis General Manager Pamela Lehan said. "We've started at 400 and we've grown to about 1,000."

Tuesday's event had everything from cotton candy and live music to stilt walkers.

While National Night Out events have grown since they began 32 years ago, the message is still the same.

"It's important for neighbors to know each other, to be in touch," Erica Perl, from Minneapolis, said.

Law enforcement from Minneapolis Police and the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office made an appearance in uniform and had a chance to kick back with members of the community they protect.

"It's a great way for the community to interact with the police and get to know the police -- and the police get to know the community," Minneapolis Police Officer David Honican said.