Family Set to Host Block Party for Night to Unite, National Night Out

Oakdale residents are gearing up for Night to Unite and National Night Out.

Night to Unite and National Night Out are events that promote community partnerships and crime prevention through a night of neighborhood block parties.

Oakdale residents host about on average each year, according to the Oakdale Police Department.

Tuesday marks Kim Ketterhagen's sixth year of hosting a neighborhood block party for NTU and NNO.

Neighbors will gather from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the corner of Guthrie and 26th Street to enjoy hot dogs and beverages as well as watch the newest Minnesota State Patrol helicopter fly over the neighborhood (between 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.). There will also be Oakdale firefighters and police officers there to demonstrate their equipment, explain their jobs and take pictures with families and children. 

"It's a great opportunity to not only build collaborative partnerships with the city of Oakdale, but down to the neighborhood level," Ketterhagen said. "We just don't get together often enough and we firmly believe a united neighborhood is a strong neighborhood."

Ketterhagen said there are roughly 89 households in the Hadley Hills neighborhood and approximately 75 to 80 people show up to the block party each year. 

"If you're not someone who goes out on walks or that type of thing then you don't have contact with your neighbors," Ketterhagen said. "We're trying to widen the world a little bit."

For updates on the Hadley Hills Neighborhood Watch visit their Facebook page.

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