HUNDREDS of residents and visitors to the White Mountains region gathered in Lincoln on Tuesday for a free National Night Out festival that brought first responders and community members together for demonstrations, family activities and public safety outreach.
Community, safety and hands-on learning
The event, held at the Granite State Railway parking area, drew families from across the region, including those from nearby Woodstock. Attendees could explore ambulances and fire trucks, meet police officers and State Police K-9 teams, and try out lifesaving skills.
There were more than 40 volunteer booths providing free items and information, including kids’ temporary tattoos, backpacks and brochures. A large bubble machine created a play area for children while nonprofit organisations and health providers — such as Littleton Regional Hospital — offered displays and staff to answer questions.
- Hands-on demonstrations: CPR instruction and tourniquet use.
- Public safety displays: fire trucks, ambulances and K-9 teams.
- Family activities: food vendors, games and community organisation booths.
At the Linwood Ambulance Service booth, Linwood Ambulance Chief Jon Boufford guided visitors through basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques. Ryan Robertson, a young visitor from Ashland, Mass., practised compressions with Boufford’s instruction.
“The event is a wonderful way for the region’s EMS community to celebrate summer with the people they serve,”
The comment came from Bill Mead, a paramedic with Linwood Ambulance and longtime ski patroller at Cannon Mountain. Mead emphasised the dual purpose of the festival: celebration and education. He noted the importance of the event not only for local residents and workers, but also for the many tourists who visit the area each year.
Local services and participating groups
The evening brought together emergency services and community organisations to build relationships and increase public awareness about safety resources. The New Hampshire Humane Society and other nonprofits offered games and activities, extending the event beyond emergency services to a broader community festival.
| Participant type | Examples from the event |
|---|---|
| Emergency services | Linwood Ambulance, state police K-9 teams, local fire departments |
| Health providers | Littleton Regional Hospital |
| Nonprofits | New Hampshire Humane Society and other local groups |
| Food vendors | Indian Head Resort, Pub 32 Pizza, El Charro, Woodstock Brewery, Arnold’s Wayside Dinner (cookies) |
Food and refreshment options were part of the festival atmosphere, with local eateries and vendors providing meals to complement the evening’s programming.
Practical benefits for residents and visitors
Organisers and participants framed National Night Out as an opportunity for residents, seasonal workers and visitors — including families from Woodstock — to learn how local services operate and how to respond in an emergency. Demonstrations on tourniquet application and CPR gave attendees practical skills they could use in real situations.
For many families who return annually to the area, the festival has become a predictable highlight of the summer calendar. The event’s mix of education and entertainment aims to reduce barriers between the public and first responders, building familiarity and trust that can be valuable when emergencies occur.
Organisers continue to encourage residents to attend similar community safety events to meet the people who provide emergency care and to become more informed about local resources.
