Staff photo by Clay Schuldt New Ulm Police Officers Sara Pruett and Brady Murphy help bikers find the perfect fitting helmet during National Night Out.

NEW ULM — National Night Out returned to German Park Monday after a two-year absence.

The 2021 and 2020 National Night Out were canceled due to COVID concerns but were back in full force for the 2022 celebration.

Turnout for the community event started slow due to a short drizzle. This was the first time in more than 12 years the National Night Out experienced any rain here, but attendance remained high.

Within the first 30 minutes, 100 pork chops were served under the German Park pavilion.

Police Chief David Borchert said considering the rain, he was pleased with the turnout for the event. Borchert explained New Ulm National Night Out was intended as a kickoff event. The idea behind the kickoff is for individual neighborhoods to plan their own community picnic.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Henry Koester celebrated his third birthday at National Night Out and was fitted for a new bicycle helmet.

The nationwide event is designed to help communities fight back against crime by helping neighbors connect. Police departments encourage these types of community get-togethers as a form of crime reduction.

“When people know their neighbors there is a crime reduction,” Borchert said. When there is a strong connection between neighbors, everyone is more likely to look out for one another.

National Night Out is also a chance to educate the public on upcoming events and programs. Several booths were set up in German Park and run by various organizations.

On the north side of the park, families stood in long lines to get balloon animals and to get their faces painted.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The New Ulm Fire Department gave fire safety demonstration during National Night Out. This demonstration simulated a grease fire. As part of the demonstration firefighter Tyler Gasow poured a cup of water on small grease fire resulting in a large fireball. The lesson: don’t add water to a grease fire.

The New Ulm Fire Department set up a fire demonstration in the parking lot. The demonstration was intended to show the dangers of grease fires.

Firefighter Trent Zabel gave step-by-step instructions on what to do with a grease fire. In general, he advised the public to call 911 before trying to put out the fire by themselves.

A fire contained to a single pan can be smothered by covering it with a larger pan. Households were also advised to have a fire extinguisher within easy reach — but away from sources of fire.

Under no circumstance should water be used on a grease fire, firefighters said. To show how dangerous using water on a grease fire can be, a firefighter threw a single cup of water on the grease fire, which resulted in a massive fireball.

National Night Out also coincided with the Monday Music in the Park. At 7 p.m. The Schell’s Hobo Band began to play in the amphitheater.

The event was hosted by the New Ulm Police, Fire and Parks and Recreation departments.