Photos by Shannon Litz/Nevada AppealNevaeh Jenkins, 4, and Kayla Irvine, 12, have their picture taken in the jail at the National Night Out at Mills Park on Tuesday.
In its best turnout to date, thousands of people converged on Mills Park to take part in the Carson City Sheriff's Office's National Night Out event.
Organizer Officer Lisa Davis said the number of attendees exceeded 7,000 some lining up to eat the free hot dogs, all stopping at the dozens of booths to pick up the doodads and the literature that explains what each law enforcement department in the city does, while also educating parents and kids alike on the dangers of drug abuse.
Yamaa Daoudi, 10, was enthralled by the event, collecting so many pamphlets that he left his father Zia juggling them all when to hunt down a bag in which to carry them.
"It's fantastic," Yamaa said upon his return. "It's amazing how they can fit the helicopters in here."
The Nevada Army National Guard opened up their Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters, and Care Flight their helicopter, for people to climb inside.
A wooden wagon doubled as a "jail," offering the children a chance to climb inside and put on the black and white uniform of an inmate.
Carrie Ignacio brought along her daughter Jodi, 9, and nephews Tony Brumbaugh, 8, and Brandon James, 3.
"I liked going in the jail, but they wouldn't let me get handcuffs," Tony said.
"Today was really amazing," Jodi said. "We got to hold up one of those shields that the cops use."
Kayla Irvine, 12, posed with her sister Nevaeh Jenkins, 4, for pictures inside the makeshift jail.
"I didn't like it," said Kayla of the jail stripes. "That's not my color."
Dad, Frank Jenkins, and mom, Jennifer Irvine, agreed the event was "wonderful."
"I think that showing support to the people that support us, as far as the fire department and public safety, for me, is worth coming," Jennifer said. "And the kids enjoy it."
Lisa Davis said she was pleased the event was bringing people together to enjoy themselves and learn.
"This is about building relationships, not about lecturing. A lecture doesn't work. All year long the kids will remember this," she said.
Among the dozens of participants were representatives from the offices of Sens. John Ensign, Harry Reid and Rep. Dean Heller, the Drug Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Division of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, courts in Carson City and Lyon County, Partnership Carson City, area churches, Ron Wood Family Resource Center, Animal Control, United Latino Community, Department of Public Safety, Chamber of Commerce, Secret Witness, Advocates to End Domestic Violence and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada.