Fort Dodge residents will be able to meet local law enforcement officers and firefighters Thursday evening during a special event on the City Square.

It is called Night to Unite, and will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In an announcement, the Fort Dodge Police Department described it as a “free community event bringing together neighbors, families, first responders and community partners.”

Food will be provided.

Police and fire department vehicles will be parked on the square. Various community organizations will have booths set up to provide information on the services they provide.

Night to Unite is the Fort Dodge version of the National Night Out Against Crime.

The National Night Out is annually held in late summer on a day that usually conflicts with a back-to-school event held by the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge. That’s why the local event was moved to an earlier date and given a different name.