The braver kids tried their hand at horseback riding. [Photos by Michael Berry]

A whole bunch of kids enjoyed a “night out” Tuesday at Northeast Park, doing everything from riding horses to sitting behind the wheel of a fire truck.

The Kewanee Police Department partnered with the Kewanee Park District to put on a National Night Out event at Northeast.

Behind the wheel of the Kewanee Fire Department’s aerial ladder truck.

Michael Minx, deputy police chief, said National Night Out is sponsored all over the country by police departments. According to the National Night Out website, the event “promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.”

At Northeast, some kids were brave enough to get helped onto the back of a horse or pony and take a brief ride.

The cold temperatures didn’t keep these kids from going for a swim.

Others braved cool evening temperatures and jumped into the Oasis Family Aquatic Center pool for a free swim.

On the north side of the park, the Kewanee Fire Department had brought their aerial ladder truck and a couple of ambulances, giving kids the opportunity to sit behind the wheel or in the back of the emergency vehicles.

There were also food stands, face painting and other attractions.

The evening concluded with a movie in the park.

The Kewanee police and fire departments were joined at the event by the Henry County Sheriff’s Department, Ameren Illinois and a number of community organizations.