Calls for encore are loud, listeners rise from their seats and give standing ovations - the atmosphere at the concert by the NRW State Police Orchestra for Blue Light Day at the State Garden Show in Höxter is excellent. The large ensemble of the police orchestra clearly hits the right note at the opening concert in front of an audience of around 400 last Sunday and ensures that the audience is enthusiastic.
The exuberant atmosphere continued throughout the rest of the day on the Weserbogen site. With a wide range of activities, the Höxter police, together with other partners of the NRW police, offer something for all age groups. The best example is the police motorcycle on display, which visitors can test ride: The youngest is just 4 months old, while the oldest guest, who is a remarkable 82 years old, is still swinging lively on the seat. Patrol cars with full equipment, VR glasses, e-bike simulator, career advice, tips against fraudsters and burglars: all the stands in the main stage area are always well attended and the police officers on site are in great demand as conversation partners.
At the traffic puppet stage of the Lippe police, the two puppets Jens and Jule show in two performances how to cross the road safely, for example. The NRW water police will be exhibiting one of their patrol boats near the Weser and explaining what rules apply on the water when you are out and about in a canoe or larger boat.
One of the highlights of the Police Blue Light Day is the state equestrian squadron, which makes the journey from Bochum with six horses. The public training session on a meadow on the banks of the Weser is a crowd-puller. Riders and their horses give an impressive impression of how carefully the animals are trained and how effective their deployment can be in critical situations.
On Blue Light Day in Höxter, the training is followed by relaxed patrols on horseback across the extensive grounds. The equestrian squadron is always a popular photo motif. And if the four-legged friends drop something in between, LGS employees are immediately on hand with wheelbarrows and shovels to pick up the droppings: After all, a valuable fertilizer for the magnificent flowers.
The second concert by the state police orchestra - this time in the jazz-rock band formation - in the afternoon was a fitting end to the successful Blue Light Day. In addition to the Höxter police, this was also a great opportunity for the fire department, the German Armed Forces and other aid organizations in the region to present themselves from their best side.
