Despite a looming threat of severe storms Tuesday night, an annual community event in Jim Thorpe went on as scheduled and had an impressive attendance.

National Night Out, organized by the Jim Thorpe Police Department, had a variety of organizations participating including numerous fire departments displaying apparatus.

There was music by a deejay. A food truck offered fries and an assortment of other food. Police officers in uniform struck up conversation with children and adults and gave the youngsters such items as coloring books and pencils.

In addition, the event offered several prizes that were awarded to children.

National Night Out was held in the pavilion and playground next to Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall.

Joseph Schatz, Jim Thorpe police chief, said he has been organizing the event for about seven years, although the first program was held in about 2014.

A half hour before the event even started, with dark, ominous clouds floating closer, eager people began filing onto the site of the Night Out event.

About 45 minutes into the festivities, rain began falling.

Schatz said National Night Out is a program for the community to get better acquainted with the police and other emergency responders and providers.

He said he was pleased with the turnout, although he admitted that the weather not only kept the crowd smaller than usual but reduced the number of vendors who normally attend.

He said he’s happy to host National Night Out, saying, “It’s a good time to interact with people.”

At the entrance to National Night Out were nearly a dozen pieces of fire apparatus from the Jim Thorpe, Lake Harmony and Albrightsville Fire Departments. Four aerial trucks had the ladders fully extended. Firefighters were present to answer questions from attendees.

Lehighton Ambulance, Pennsylvania State Police and Jim Thorpe Police Department all had vehicles on the scene.

Among the vendors were the physical therapy department of St. Luke’s Hospital, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, State Rep. David Argall’s office, the Carbon County Coroner’s office, the Girl Scouts of America, the Victims Resource Center and a church group.

Dr. David M. Plavin M.D. was present for St. Luke’s. He and other employees handed out first aid kits, sunscreen, pens, crayons, coloring books and even sunglasses.

Dr. Plavin said he feels National Night Out is a good program and he was happy to participate and meet members of the community.

Caitlyn Kennedy of the Victims Resource Center had note pads and pens she was distributing, noting that she felt it was important for people to know about the organization’s services. “We help people who are victims of crime - pretty much any crime,” she said.

She said, “We have a lot of no-cost services including counseling and after-school programs.”

The Jim Thorpe Police Department had several officers present and handed out various items, including an assortment of color books with such titles as “Your Friend the Police Officer.”

Ralph Lennon, chief of the Lake Harmony Fire Department, has been with his fire department for all the National Night Out programs in the town.

“It’s the least we can do,” he said of his firefighters’ attendance.

He said volunteers are always welcome and by displaying the firefighting equipment, it might stimulate an interest in young people.