National Night Out in Estacada draws families; committee reviews turnout, giveaways and improvements for next year

Committee members reviewed this year’s National Night Out, reporting broad community participation, about 97 child ID kits distributed and 74 swag bags handed out, and discussed logistics for expanding the event next year.

Karina and Carrie led the report and described food trucks, live music, a sheriff’s mounted posse horse and an exhibit with a search dog that drew large crowds. Karina said the committee ordered 200 child ID kits and distributed 97 at the event; she also said 74 swag bags were given away. Attendees noted the site was crowded and setup time (two hours) was insufficient for trailers and equipment.

Speakers suggested moving next year’s event to a larger site such as White Creek Park or the amphitheater, closing a street to simplify vendor placement, and recruiting volunteers (Job Corps and Teen Challenge were suggested) to help with setup and teardown. Committee members also discussed adding more family-oriented activities (games for vendor booths, a dunk tank, outdoor movie) and improving promotion next year once the city’s new communications staff coordinates outreach.

The committee also discussed related community training and outreach ideas: scheduling CPR or broader first-aid or wilderness-first-aid training (Mount Hood Community College was suggested as a potential partner), distributing emergency evacuation kits, and creating paracord bracelet giveaways. A staff member said the city will centralize social-media posts through the city’s main page and that the new communications person will help promote future events.