National Night Out 2024 Results
The National Night Out Event 2024 was an outstanding success.
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The turn-out from the scheduled displays was outstanding. They were able to get their displays set-up and ready for our guests and neighbors in time for the 5:00 pm opening.
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The Bounce Houses were set-up, operational and administered well during the event.
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Jonathan Hays was more than an excellent Magician he was also an outstanding entertainer that played well off his audience.
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The two string musicians set-up in a display in the middle of the field and played their own favorites or requested favorites for many neighbors. They were a good fit for this event.
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The Des Moines Fire Department and the Des Moines Police Department were represented at the event.
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Our Des Moines Chief of Police Dana Wingert is a fan and supporter of the National Night Out events. Chief was in attendance at the start of our event as were TV Channel 13. They spent close to 45-minutes at our event interviewing the Chief and filming people talking with the Chief. Several minutes were played on Channel 13's 8:00 pm news. We will include a separate link to that coverage for as long as it is still available on the station.
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Fresh pizza slices were provided free for the people at the event. Fresh pizzas were delivered every 30-minutes during the event. These were pizzas from both Bordenaro's Pizzeria and Papa Johns. Our event volunteers were busy from start to close handing our fresh pizza slices.
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There were plenty of things to keep the kids or all ages interested.
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I walked around to see all displays at the event a couple of times. I had hoped to get some comment from them regarding how they felt about this event that we were putting on.
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A few gave a brief wave or a quick "Hi" to me. Every display I visited all seemed to have people standing in line to talk with them and clearly were too busy to talk with me.
This event was primarily created, funded and promoted by Watrous Heights Neighborhood Association with some Grant Support from Polk County Board of Supervisors. Grays Lake Neighborhood Association help with some financial support and they and Indianola Hills Neighborhood Association help provide much needed volunteers to make this event happen.
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A critical key to the success of this event was the enthusiasm with which the organizations and groups with displays told their story to our neighbors.
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The key element to the success of this event were our neighbors that knew or are now learning that there are many groups or organizations that can help make their life better. They just need to learn the right people to talk with and how they can help.
We hope that we can host a still bigger and better event in 2025. We hope to see all of you again next year.
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Thanks for your participation.
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Dave Johnston, President
Watrous Heights Neighborhood Association
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link to TV:
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link to Pictures by B
https://www.watrousheightsna.com/nno-2024-pictures-by-b
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link to Pictures by K
https://www.watrousheightsna.com/nno-2024-pictures-by-k
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