National Night Out - West Side
Taylor Davison Stirs Chili In Camp Fish Tales Booth
August 8, 2014
By: Stephen Kent
With FOUR
National Night Out Against Crime events around town, Bay City families had a choice of places to go. MyBayCity.com covered events on both sides of the river. Our West Side reporter, of course, thinks the event on his side of the river was the best. Make your own comparison by checking the other article and photos at
this link.
The free Night Out event is sponsored by the Bay City Department of Public Safety and the Citizen District Councils. The events took place on Tuesday August 5th between 5 and 8 in the evening.
The West side event, held in Defoe Park, had an advantage because the fire departments held their annual chili cook-off at the location. Everyone got a taste. Buy a ticket for $3, try all the chili, drop your ticket in the jug at your favorite's table. That along with the judges rulings determined the winner.
Besides chili, there were lots of free hotdogs, popcorn, pop and orange drink. Volunteers and many community sponsors got together to make the event a free success.
For the kids there was a police car on display, games, a photo board (stick your face through and get a picture) and face painting sponsored by the Bay County Historical Society.
The Historical Society's face painting proved a hit with the kids. At last count over 40 kids were in line. Kelley Kent and her Mom Pattye had their hands full. Kelley runs the Haunted Masonic Temple each fall and lent her talents to the makeup work. The last kid was finally done half an hour after everyone else had left.
National Night Out has been a national event for 31 years. Each year the Bay City event seems to get larger. We're sure that next year will be even better.
Ann and Connie put up the sign prior to the event. |
George Shaw taste chili. Bonnie Marsh has the free antacid ready. |
Firemen at the "Box 826" booth prepare samples for judges. The guys said that "Box 826" refers to the old fireboxes in this area. |
Judges Taste Chili Samples
Jodi K., 94.5 The Moose -
Eric Jylha, Weather Expert -
Kay Burks, Independent Bank |
Police Chief Cecchini visits with CDC members |
Under the chili cook-off tent |
Kids loved the football toss, and were allowed to get as close as they wanted. |
Hotdogs for all, and they were the GOOD dogs too! |
Volunteers man the condiments and drink table |
Overview of the park |
Police cruiser on display |
Prizes - Tickets for the drawing were free with your hotdogs! |
Kids enjoy the games |
Everybody pile on Dad! |
Plinko Game |
Neighbors - The purpose of the night |
Taking careful aim to get that ball through the hole. |
Kids lined up for face painting |
Kids look on as Kelley paints a skeleton face |
One girl holds the long hair back as Pattye prepares to apply foundation |
She's picked the image she wants. |
And her image is a butterfly |
A very pleased young lady |
Another butterfly variation |
A more abstract face |
Yipes ! ! ! Tiger Princess |
Tables turned. A budding artists insists on trying her hand... and she did a great job! |