Every year the town of Parkville hosts Final Fridays events, which celebrate the end of summer.

During these events the stores in the downtown area stay open late, painters line the sidewalks to paint pictures of the buildings downtown and community members set up tents with crafts, face painting, pottery making and activities for the children of the community.

For the last Final Fridays of the year, Parkville had a first responders appreciation night where the police and fire departments, and EMT workers had a great time with the people of the town.

Many of the first responders arrived in their official transportation and parked on the side of Min Street. They gave tours of their work vehicles to community members and children.

“There’s like stuff out that you can do; I like the firetruck because I get to go inside it and lift the helmet up,” said Lucas Ramon, age 7.

“The people in town can come and see our equipment, see what we do, and meet us and get to know us,” said Taylor Hill, South Platte Country Fire Department firefighter.

Most firefighters meet people during emergency situations, and that’s what made the event special, said Hill.

The South Platte County fire department was not the only group that showed up to this event, there was also an ambulance that children and adults in the community could tour.

“We’re here for the community appreciation,” said EMT James Dir. “Everyone comes down and can go through the ambulance if they want to; we give out coloring books and things.”

Final Fridays also had live music performed by Chris Cardwell. He performed fan favorites while sitting outside of Frank’s Restaurant with his guitar case open accepting donations and selling his new CD.

As the night came to a close, the artists packed up their paint brushes and easels while saying a final goodbye to summer until next year when Final Fridays will start again.