By Craig Murphy

Springfield Times Editor

Tana Steers would like to see more people sign up Sunday evening to host a National Night Out gathering.

Oh, and Steers would also like to be there for the whole three-hour event at Island Park.

Steers, a Community Service officer with the Springfield Police Department, is putting on Sunday evening's National Night Out kick-off event, which runs from 4 to 7 p.m.

The event has been going on for the past 10 years in Springfield and is a precursor to the 27th annual National Night out taking place nationwide on Tuesday, Aug. 3.

"National Night Out is geared to give crime a going away party, while allowing you to get to know your neighbors," Steers said. "We have a kick-off to provide information so you can go back to your neighborhood and have a little gathering (on Aug. 3)."

Sunday evening will feature a variety of activities such as a police K-9 demonstration, inflatables, bounce houses, obstacle courses, police vehicle displays, a live DJ and more. Children visiting community booths will get drawstring backpacks with Frisbees, carnival ticket, a free hot dog meal at the event and more.

For more on this and other news from around the Springfield area, including a special tourism/history tab section, be sure to pick up a copy of the July 23 issue of Springfield Times, available at news racks and stores all around the area. Look under the 'Newspaper Locations' link on this site to find out where. To subscribe to the paper, call 541-741-7368 or stop by 741 Main St.