Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The weather should be perfect for this evening’s “National Night Out” event in Minnesota.

The annual event will see hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans take part in block parties, cookouts, ice cream socials, church dinners, and neighborhood gatherings. 

Rochester’s expected turnout of nearly 85,000 would be the highest ever.

The previous record of just under 84,000 was set in 2017. The total slipped to just under 77,000 in 2018, the first time there was a decrease from the previous year.

At last report, 570 events had registered with the police department. That’s also the highest on record.

Since 2003, Rochester has ranked in the top 6 nationwide in turnout among cities with a population of 100,000 - 300,000.  It was ranked first in 2014.

The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating events in surrounding cities.

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