Hundreds of people from Jim Thorpe and beyond stopped by Memorial Park for National Night Out on Tuesday evening.

National Night Out is a nationwide movement to help the police in their service to the areas they serve, and to make police more accessible to the public.

“We look forward to this every year,” said Jim Thorpe Police Chief Joseph Schatz. “The weather is cooperating tonight. We have a ton of swag and things to give away. We have over a thousand dollars in prizes to give away to the kids.”

All children up to 18 years old received a free ticket for door prizes when they entered the park. Three major sponsors helped provide the prizes: Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank, Wildoner Insurance Agency, and Bernhard’s Service Center. Prizes included a TV, Bluetooth speakers, headphones, scooters, model cars, and more.

“We came to play at the playground and realized this was going on,” MaryAnn Drury of Jim Thorpe said, who, along with children Graham and Bennett Drury, looked over the AT&T table.

Many local organizations, offices, businesses, and vendors set up tables offering information, promotional items, gifts, and snack items.

The Jukebox Cruisers were back again this year, with approximately 20 vintage cars and trucks on display.

First responders had service vehicles on the parking lot outside Memorial Hall.

“It’s a good community event,” Schatz said. “We enjoy the support that we get. We’re here to celebrate our community and to bring our community together to help our community fight crime and make it the best place it can be.”