BY MARY JANE FARMER

HERALD DEMOCRAT

Texoma Night Out, the community-police partnership program designed to bring neighbors together, is for most Grayson County cities being held this Saturday. The Unity Caravan, composed of police cruisers from all participating agencies, will be visiting the individual towns' block parties.

Howe -- The Howe community will be from 2-6 p.m. Saturday in the park across from the post office. It begins with a flag-raising ceremony provided by Cub Scout Pack 45. There will be a DJ interspersed with other activities including live music from the Fellowship Band, and Coach Simmon's Howe student's chant. Also on tap is a bounce house, face painting, balloons, clowns, door prizes, all topped off with free fajitas, chips and drinks, and open house at the Howe Fire Department from 4-6 p.m.

The Unity Caravan is due at the celebration at 4:45 p.m. Organizers listed multiple contributors who are making the city's block party so active.

Whitesboro -- Always a favorite at Whitesboro's are its quantities of homemade ice cream in a variety of flavors. This year promises to be no exception. Being held at Godwin Park, TNO features many of its school students, band, and cheerleaders, who lead the caravan officers through the blow-up tunnel usually seen at football games. This year, said Police Chief Scott Taylor, the Whitesboro Health and Rehab home is also participating with festivities in front of the facility. The caravan will be traveling by that home, and then make its stop at the Godwin Park block party.

Tom Bean -- The grill comes out for Tom Bean's block party, with free food and drinks being offered. There's more being planned, including a live band and a bounce house.

For information on other town's activities, call their police departments and/or their chambers of commerce.

Neighbors meeting neighbors, even in small towns, are sometimes hard to do because so many people work out of town. Texoma Night Out is one way to get to know those who share protection from the same police and fire agencies and to meet some of those who serve.

At most of these block parties, there is also crime-prevention and fire-safety information available.