Douglas County is celebrating National County Government Month by hosting its first Douglas County Government Day event on Tuesday, April 23. The event will be from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 21st and Harper Streets, in the Open Pavilion. The event is free and open to the community.

“We are excited to host a fun event to share our important services with the community,” County Administrator Sarah Plinsky said. “From maintaining roads and providing public safety to supporting human services and conducting elections, we are proud to serve Douglas County.”

The event will include touch-a-truck activities with equipment from Public Works, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, Consolidated Fire District No. 1, Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management, Emergency Communications and Maintenance. These Douglas County departments and offices will also be at the event: Sustainability, Criminal Justice Services, District Attorney, Clerk/Elections, GIS, Emergency Communications, Appraiser, Treasurer, Register of Deeds, Administration and District Court.

Emergency Communications staff will demonstrate how they can set up a 911 dispatch system remotely. Sustainability staff will be handing out seeds and providing information about the community garden program and other sustainability programs and initiatives. Emergency Management will have safety information and a "Wheel of Misfortune" game, and they plan to showcase their new trailer. District Court staff will be available to talk about the Self-Help Office and Citizen Review Board.

There will be live music from Great Plains Media’s stations 105.9 KISS FM and 92.9 The Bull, and family-friendly activities, including:
•    5 p.m. and 6 p.m. — Reading of a children's storybook, "Impatient Pamela Calls 911," by Emergency Communications staff.
•    5:30 p.m. — Life jacket safety demonstration by the Sheriff's Office staff.

Local food trucks Barbwire Barbecue and Torched Goodness will have food available for purchasing.

There will also be information available about the Treatment & Recovery Center and Engage Douglas County. Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health will have their mobile vehicle at the event and will be offering free blood pressure checks along with general health information.