County residents are invited to enjoy the cool fall weather and the company of the people charged with protecting them Tuesday. Harrison County Emergency Service District 3 stations will open their doors to the public as part of National Night Out.

Free hot dogs, drinks and activities are planned at the stations from 6 to 8 p.m.

The four participating stations include:

Karnack, Farm-to-Market Road 134 at Spur 449

Shadowood, Shadowood Drive next to the Club House

Scottsville, Farm-to-Market Road 2199 at Green Street

Blocker-Crossroads, Farm-to-Market Road 2625 at Blocker Road

National Night Out is an annual event bringing together the community, firefighters and police officers.

David Ingram, ESD 3 firefighters board secretary, encourages residents to use the events as a chance to "visit with their neighbors and the firefighters who volunteer so much of their time to serve them by the saving of lives, protection of property endangered by fires and other emergencies and promoting the teaching and practice of fire prevention and protection."

Other departments

The Marshall Fire Department and the Nesbitt Volunteer Fire Department also have National Night Out events planned for Tuesday.

MFD Station 2, 200 Indian Springs Road, and Station 4, 101 Hughes St., will serve hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and cold drinks from 6 to 8 p.m.

"It's always an exciting time to get together with the public," Marshall Assistant Fire Chief Reginald Cooper said Thursday. "Even those who come on an annual basis to our National Night Out parties still get to see new faces."

The open house at Nesbitt VFD, Highway 154, will feature demonstrations by the department and K-9 units from the Waskom Police Department and Harrison County Sheriff's Office. That event will be 5 to 9 p.m.

Hot dogs, chips and drinks will be served.