Community members in Groves and Port Neches will gather Tuesday in their respective cities for free family fun while meeting first responders.

The nationwide National Night Out, which is held in the fall in our area, is designed to build strong community partnerships that promote safe neighborhoods, according to information from the Port Neches Police Department.

Groves event

Groves National Night Out will lasts from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Lion’s Park at the corner of Lincoln and Jackson.

Groves Police Det. Chris Robin said there’s a lot of reasons to attend, including a chance to visit with first responders; Acadian Air Med and Air Rescue, fire trucks and police vehicles.

“This is a really good community activity,” Robin said. “It’s good of the department and the community to communicate and become familiar with each other.”

This will mark GPD’s fourth annual event with crowds growing each year.

Visitors will have a chance to wear different types of intoxication goggles to show how drugs and alcohol impact driving – but instead of a car there will be small bicycles.

“It’s fun and educational as well,” he said.

Robin said there will be giveaways with prizes, ranging from gift certificates and Pecan Festival Megapasses to folding chairs, Corkcicle cups and tickets to Lamar Cardinals vs. McNeese.

Groves’ schedule:

• 4:30 p.m. – Acadian Air Med and Air Rescue will be landing
• 5:30 p.m. – Armentor’s Martial Arts demonstration
• 6 p.m. – 1st drawing – will need to be present to win
• 6:30 p.m. – Groves Fire Department vehicle extrication demonstration
• 7:30 p.m. – 2nd drawing – will need to be present to win
• 8 p.m. – Garth House and Life Share drawing – Do not have to be present to win

For more information including the prizes to be awarded, go to the Groves National Night Out Facebook page.

Port Neches event

Port Neches Riverfront Park is the setting for the Port Neches’ event at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Theresa Beavens, Port Neches Police Department secretary, said the free event features a movie at dark on a huge outdoor screen. This year’s selection is “Ugly Dolls,” whose animation director is Beaumont native Kelly Asbury.

But before dusk there are lots of activities to do, from free popcorn, snow cones, link, cotton candy, pizza and drink while supplies last, to face painting done by students from Port Neches-Groves High School.

The Crash Test dummies will be on hand, as well, and families get a chance to see police cars, fire trucks, the SWAT vehicle, a helicopter, an ambulance and the Jefferson County water patrol boat. There will be handouts, freebies and games.

Another draw for the kiddos is a 50-foot blow-up obstacle course, Beavens said.

Patrons can also have a chance to win items like folding chairs, gift cards, duffle bags, blankets and more.

Numerous businesses pitched in to both events to make them a success.