Crookston’s Night to Unite annual celebration of communities and law enforcement will be held on the University of Minnesota Crookston campus this year on Tuesday, August 3. Walmart of Crookston, the event’s main sponsor, came forward with a financial contribution to fully support this year’s event. Crookston Police Officer, Don Rasicot said, “We are thrilled that Walmart of Crookston has agreed to financially fund the entire event.”
Rasicot, along with Connie Wilkins, Cathy LaJesse, Michelle Christopherson, Nell Deboer, Shane Heldstab, and Carrie Bergquist comprise the Night to Unite planning committee. Rasicot said the committee wanted to relieve the financial burden from the small local businesses and with this contribution and many others donating their services is a great testament to the Crookston community. Rasicot said there will be action, events, and food vendors on the mall at the University of Minnesota Crookston. The event kicks off with bingo at 3:00 p.m.
This year’s National Night Out (NNO) Night to Unite is in its 38 year nationally and 18th in Crookston. Nationwide over 40 million people in over 15,000 communities attend the event every year, Rasicot noted. Because of the renovations to Crookston’s Central Park, Night to Unite’s location will be on the University of Minnesota Crookston campus.
Schedule of events:
3:00-4:00 – 8th Annual Walt Keller Memorial Bingo
4:30-4:50 – National Anthem sung by Kitty Barstad and Officer Rasicot welcomes the crowd to the 2021 NNO event. Crookston Police Chief Paul Biermaier introduces the recipients of the 2021 Home Town Medical Heroes who successfully carried us through the Covid 19 pandemic.
5:00-5:05 – First prize give-a-way (every 15 minutes after that-via announcement)
5:10-5:30 – Crookston Fire Department kitchen flashover demonstration
5:30-6:00 – Watermelon eating contest and prize giveaway
6:00-6:25 – Crookston Fire Department vehicle extraction demonstration
6:25-6:30 – Golf ball drop – (staff tallies up the winners)
6:30-6:50 – Customs and Border Protection Air Interdiction Unit lands their helicopter.
6:50-7:00 – Golf ball drop prize winners announced and awarded their prizes
7:00 – Event concludes
