For several years now, our home town of Bridgton, Maine has participated in "National Night Out", a national program in which police forces host block parties in their communties.  This year, for the second time, I was invited to juggle at this event.

Bridgton's National Night Out was held at the local elementary school, and a lot of the neighbors came out for it.  Besides the local police, fire and emergency medical forces being present with all their latest machinery, there was a wide range of other events.  One police officer was sitting in the grass with small groups of kids as  he read them children's books.  There was free popcorn and hot dogs.  Life Flight flew in a helicopter for everyone to get a close look at.  There was a dunk tank where, if you were brave enough, you could try to dunk the chief of police.  There was a bounce house.  And there was a juggler - me.

Events like this are interesting and unpredictable.  I didn't have a show time, per se.  Instead, I set up and juggled as people milled around .  Many would stop to watch for long or short periods of time, and a few would speak with me and my wife Sue, who came along to be part of the excitement.  We met a family who was actually up visiting from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and spoke with them for quite a while. heir second grade daughter was determined to learn to juggle, and spent a good bit of time throwing one of her toys up in the air and trying to catch it.  We also met a lady who recognized me from shows I've done at the community center here in town.  

I love our little town, and I love that I have something to offer at events like this.  And National Night Out is a great idea that all police forces should be participating in.