AUBURN — Hundreds came out for the city’s 41st National Night Out celebration Tuesday at Festival Plaza.

National Night Out is a celebration which communities throughout North America participate in to help develop community partnerships and promotes neighborly interactions. Auburn’s celebration brought out several city departments and organizations including police, fire, public works and area nonprofits.

Families enjoyed free food, live music by local band Continental Shakedown and bounce houses and games like cornhole, Connect 4 and more.

Scruff McGruff the Crime Dog made an appearance circling his way through the crowd and palling around with community members, police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

Stephanie, left, and Josie Malcom of Mission Working Dogs pose Tuesday with therapy dog Gigi, a Portuguese Water Dog, during Auburn’s annual National Night Out. Mission Working Dogs is a local nonprofit specializing in service and therapy dog training. Joe Charpentier/Sun Journal

Auburn Police Deputy Chief Tim Cougle was having a blast with family, friends and fellow first responders.

“It’s a great opportunity to get the community together and get the officers in a less formal setting,” Cougle said. “It lets the officers get to know the residents and people to get to know the officers.”

Genevieve Beaulieu, 6, said the best part of her day was having a butterfly painted on her face.

Genevieve Beaulieu, 6, gets a butterfly face painting Tuesday during Auburn’s annual National Night Out in Festival Plaza. The national event promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Joe Charpentier/Sun Journal

How much was she enjoying the day?

“A gazillion,” Genevieve said.

City Councilor Leroy Walker Sr. said he was also enjoying the community camaraderie in the company of neighbors and other public officials and volunteers.

“I’m just out to join the crowd,” Walker said. “It’s a great thing. It brings people together and we get to meet all our police officers and other public officials. It’s a good chance to get out and interact with the community.”