While the contingent of first responders in Oakdale was busy making multiple visits around the community, Riverbank first responders greeted residents in a central location as both cities observed National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

And with bounce houses, giveaways, refreshments and more, the evening was classified as a success for The Cowboy Capital and The City of Action.

National Night Out is observed across the country on the first Tuesday of August each year, designed as a way to get neighbors out of their homes to meet and greet their community’s first responders in a relaxed, informal atmosphere.

For Oakdale, the night started with a kickoff gathering at Dorada Park and then police officers, firefighters, city officials and more spent time at several other locations around the community. That included stops at a couple of different apartment complexes and several neighborhood events. Oakdale’s National Night Out observance ran from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

In Riverbank, the centralized event was hosted at Silva Park and ran from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Along with the chance to interact with the first responders and city leaders, attendees got to enjoy free food and drinks, take a look at the various emergency vehicles on display and even take home some giveaway items.