Commencing Tuesday as part of a 20-year-long national event, San
Juan Bautista christened its first National Night Out with food,
facts and family fun.
Held in the plaza at the Mission San Juan Bautista, the San
Benito County Sheriff’s Department, San Juan Bautista Volunteer
Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services and activities for the
kids filled the plaza’s grassy area on Second Street.
Commencing Tuesday as part of a 20-year-long national event, San Juan Bautista christened its first National Night Out with food, facts and family fun.
Held in the plaza at the Mission San Juan Bautista, the San Benito County Sheriff’s Department, San Juan Bautista Volunteer Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services and activities for the kids filled the plaza’s grassy area on Second Street.
A CALSTAR helicopter showed up for the festivities, but shortly before the event was to start an emergency call came in and the air ambulance had to leave.
For the past few years San Juan Bautista residents had participated in Hollister’s National Night Out festivities, but Sheriff’s Deputy Ed Nino decided it was time for San Juan to break away on its own.
“I felt it was time to do our own here and see what kind of response we get,” Nino said. “We’ve invited the public to come out, intermingle, learn about drug awareness and the other services available and to have some fun.”
Nell Stuart from Cambridge, England, and her children were happy to join in the action while visiting San Juan Bautista for the day.
“This is similar to an English fair,” she said. “I’ve learned some things I didn’t know and my children are having fun.”
The community is behind the program, with many of its merchants donating their time and energy into putting it on.
The San Benito County Health Department gave away free helmets for children and the Mi Escuelita Preschool set up a booth with a fishing game and face-painting for the kids.
There were two jump houses that were privy to lots of tiny feet pounding their appreciation.
Morgan Hill resident Luciana Valenti learned about the event through the Mission.
“This is very nice, and it’s important to raise awareness,” she said.
Nino said he hopes to continue the program, believing that more San Juan Bautista residents would participate in the program if it is in their own back yard, instead of in Hollister.
“Next year, we might have it at the little league park,” Nino said. “We have to see how this year goes, and so far it’s looking pretty good.”
