Residents across Coon Rapids braved the heat and humidity Tuesday night for food and fun during the annual 'Night to Unite' celebration.
Members of the police and fire departments made stops at the various parties around the city. It's a chance for police officers, like Josh Pirkola, to show off their squad cars to children in a relaxed environment.
"Coming to these parties here it makes me feel like I'm not a cop,” Pirkola said. “Like,...I'm Josh. It's me. My radar is completely down, it's a great time to ask questions and really get to know the people that live here in Coon Rapids."
There were officially 100 registered neighborhood parties in the city. Twenty-three police officers, along with 6 reserve officers covered the city to make stops at nearly every party. All told, there were nearly 2,000 adults and children who came out to attend this year's event.