SACO — The Saco Police Department is inviting the community to come out Tuesday for a night of fun at its annual National Night Out event.

The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Tuesday at Memorial Recreation Fields on Summer Street, near C.K. Burns school, hosted by the Saco Police Department in conjunction with the City of Saco, Saco Fire Department, Saco Parks & Recreation, and several community organizations.

There will be free hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn and drinks, and a number of free activities including a bounce house and obstacle course, dunk tank, balloon twisting, face painting, children’s games, and music.

There will also be public safety and military vehicles in a “touch a truck” display, and an Air Force replica jet, said Jennifer Langevin, who is a Police Department criminal investigations division support personnel.

Local organizations and businesses will have informational tables, and the Michael Goulet Foundation will be giving away children’s bicycle helmets, said Langevin. There will be other giveaways as well as raffles.

National Night Out is an annual campaign that began in 1984 and promotes police and community partnerships. It’s typically observed on the first Tuesday of August, with communities in Texas and other areas celebrating it the first Tuesday of October.

National Night Out celebrations are happening in more than 16,000 communities with events such as block parties, festivals and parades.

Traditionally, the event involves only local police departments, but Saco has expanded it to involve the Fire Department and other city departments as well as local community groups.

This is the third year Saco will observe National Night Out, and past events have drawn more than 500 people over the course of the evening.

Interim Police Chief Jack Clements said the event gives people an opportunity to interact with local city officials in a relaxed atmosphere.

“It’s really about bringing the community together,” Clements said. “I think it’s important for our community to have these types of interactions. These folks live here, work here, pay taxes here. They need to know who these people are.”

People are encouraged to chat with city officials and ask questions, and not only can residents get their questions addressed, but police and other city employees can learn what the concerns are in the community, said Clements.

“It’s been very informative for me,” he said.

Other communities are hosting National Night Out events as well:

• In Biddeford, the 12th annual Family Fun Festival will take place at 39 Sullivan St.  in the St. Andre’s Senior Housing parking lot from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The event will include live music, a petting zoo, pony rides, games, food, face painting, a rock climbing wall, pedal car races, a bouncy house and water slide.

• In Kennebunk, there will be live music, refreshments, safety displays and games at Waterhouse Pavilion from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

• In Sanford, a community cookout will be held at Central Park from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 22.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be reached at 780-9015 or by email at egotthelf@journaltribune.com.