Local high school band to perform at National Night Out in St. Joseph 

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A local high school band is preparing to take the big stage at the annual National Night Out event at Civic Center Park in Downtown St. Joseph.

Sponsored by Target and the St. Joseph Goats, the event will feature free food, fun activities for children, including opportunities to explore and interact with various emergency vehicles and plenty more for the entire community to enjoy. 

National Night Out events across the country bring neighbors and local law enforcement together each year to build strong community ties and promote safer, more welcoming environments. 

"National Night Out is primarily a night out against crime," said Sgt. Jeremy Peters with the St. Joseph Police Department. "Each year, the goal for me has been to try and make it bigger, better and more of a community buy-in to get more people out to our event and bring people together." 

SJPD said they couldn’t think of a better way to energize this year's audience than by inviting local high school students, who perform under the band name The Arsonists!, to take the stage. 

The band consists of six members: 

• Solomon Goodman, vocalist 

• Michael Werner, guitarist and backing vocals 

• Lucy Goodman, drummer 

• Izzy Luce, bassist 

• Karson Wilmes, guitarist 

• Ava Kay, drummer 

Guitarist Michael Werner said he's honored to perform at the upcoming event, especially as a tribute to his father, Jeff Werner, who is a local firefighter. 

The band is especially excited for their first outdoor performance in the city of St. Joseph. 

"We've never been down to City Hall before," said vocalist Solomon Goodman. "We've only performed at indoor venues, so this is something unique and exciting for us. Since the very beginning, my favorite part of performing has been seeing the smiles in the crowd and watching people forget their troubles for a while and just lose themselves in the music. This is something we're really looking forward to."

SJPD is encouraging the community to come out for a unique opportunity to engage with law enforcement and emergency personnel in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. 

The event is free and open to the public and will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at Civic Center Park.