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According to Janesville Police Department Officer Joseph Sanovich, the event has been a city tradition for at least 17 years.

Sanovich, a community resource and court liaison officer, highlighted the event’s importance, emphasizing that it allows residents to interact with police, firefighters, and EMTs in a relaxed setting rather than during an emergency.

“It’s important for the community to be able to see police officers when they’re not calling us in need, where they can interact with us and we can kind of let our personalities out,” Sanovich said. “This event is great for us to get to know the people we work for, because we do work for the community, and just being able to enjoy some time together is great.”

Sanovich expressed that planning for the event was a significant undertaking, taking around three to four months and involving securing donors and getting over 50 different organizations and community partners to set up.

Along Festival Street, community members lined up to meet with various organizations. The Rock County Sheriff’s Department allowed children to explore their vehicles and handed out high-fives, while Janesville police officers passed out hot dogs. The Janesville Fire Department and EMS gave out pink and red firefighter hats.

Fire Capt. Jack Morris of the Janesville Fire Department described the event as a great opportunity for community exposure.

“The kids can step up and see the trucks, ask questions, get all the stickers and go through just the fun part of the job rather than when we’re actually working and doing our emergency stuff,” he said.

In addition to first responders, a wide range of groups participated, including GO Riteway, local Boy and Girl Scout troops, the Whitewater Area Mounted Search Team and Rescue, and Downtown Janesville Inc.

Carrie Heidenreich, who oversees the Janesville Early Literacy program, ran a booth where she distributed free books and “goodie bags” to children.

She said the event is a great way to connect with families of children five and under, and to promote the importance of daily reading, talking, and playing.

“We’ve heard a lot of kids excited to be able to pick out a book to take home with them,” Heidenreich said. “Just seeing all the community groups coming together and seeing everybody from the community down here in one space and just celebrating for National Night Out is great.”