Grinnell Optimist Night Out held at Central Park on Aug. 3

​Carl Meck, the newest member of the Grinnell Optimist Club, serves an ice cream cone to Clayton Criswell, 5, of Grinnell while his sister, Andley, 7, and mom, Tiffany, anticipate receiving their cones at the Optimist Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 3 at Central Park. Hudsyn Criswell, who was traveling by stroller, is next to his brother.

​The Zylstra family of Grinnell enjoys ice cream while taking a break at Central Park during the Grinnell Optimist Club Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 3.

The Grinnell Optimist Club Night Out event allowed local police and fire officials to interact with area families while enjoying ice cream served by members of the Optimist Club.

​Ruth Levy, 5, of Grinnell enjoys sitting in the Grinnell Fire Department Ladder Truck at the Grinnell Optimist Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 3. The event allowed area residents to check out the fire trucks and police vehicles used to keep Grinnell safe.

​Area residents mill about Grinnell’s Central Park checking out the fire engines and enjoying fresh ice cream and family time at the Grinnell Optimist Club Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 3.

​Dave and Jan Pope of Grinnell enjoy ice cream while visiting with Grinnell Police Officer John Soubayi at the Optimist Club Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 3 in Grinnell Central Park. Officer Soubayi joined the local police force in April.

​Grinnell Police Captain Zachary Sittig points out features of his patrol car to area youngsters during the Grinnell Optimist Club Night Out event at Central Park on Tuesday, Aug. 3.