Family Fun Night brought together families and friends for an evening of eating, socializing, and dancing on September 20 — all without the distraction of electronic devices.

The annual shindig took place in the cafetorium of Reed Intermediate School and was co-hosted by Newtown Parent Connection and Newtown Prevention Council.

Newtown Parent Connection posted to its Facebook page earlier in the day, “[T]his night is dedicated to spending quality time with your children/family as we join in celebrating a national effort to promote family dinners as an effective way to reduce youth substance abuse and other risky behaviors. Research by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University consistently finds that the more often children eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink, or use illegal drugs.”

Newtown Police Department K-9 Officer Felicia Figol was present at the event and told the crowd, “I’m a big believer in Family Fun Night... It’s important to maintain a family unit.”

She added that she applies its values in her own life by making a point to have dinner with her son.

Officer Figol and Officer Bill Hull then did a training demonstration with K-9 Aris, to the delight of the children gathered around them.

Aris was not the only canine in the building. Comfort Dog Maggie, of Lutheran Church Charities through Christ the King Lutheran Church, was onsite to greet guests.

Activities throughout the night also included group dance lessons with Matt Ames that started with the Macarena; and Tony “The Magic Guy” Feliciano made balloon animals for the children. Music was provided by John Voket of 99DollarDJ & Entertainment.

For more information about Newtown Parent Connection, visit newtownparentconnection.org.newtownprevention.org. To learn more about Newtown Prevention Council,