Rohnert Park Comes Together For ‘National Night Out’ Plaza Party

Neighbors in Rohnert Park joined together at City Center Plaza to take part in National Night Out, which aims to build stronger and safer communities.

While many people in the community came to the event to show their support, the celebration hosted fewer people than was expected.

“It would have been great to have a bigger crowd because we were prepared for it,” said Terri Mazzanti, Rohnert Park National Night Out co-chair. “I know the people that showed up had a great time and they will be our best advertisement for next year.”

Mazzanti divulges that she had a personal goal to host 500 people at the event but, unfortunately, fell short of that mark.  

“This is Rohnert Park’s first National Night Out after a five year break and it’s my hope that we can continue on and do it year after year and keep bringing the community even closer and closer,” said Mazzanti.

Several city officials attributed the lack of community turnout to the very cold weather on Tuesday evening.

“I think the weather was a major role because if this was a hot night and everyone was sitting on their deck barbecuing they would have moseyed on down,” said Mazzanti.

One of the more popular attractions at the Rohnert Park National Night Out was the dunk tank where city officials like the mayor, city council members and the chief of police were dunked into a large tank of water.

It was so chilly at the event that the city representatives participating in the dunk tank were actually begging people to dunk them because it was warmer in the water than sitting on the platform waiting to get dunked.

All in all, it seemed that everyone who turned out had a great time but city officials want to know how they can improve the festivities for next year.

A survey will be available for people online to offer their feedback to the organizers about what they can do to improve the experience for the community.