National Night Out 2021 events are back with food, games and first responders

Last year, the National Association of Town Watch, the sponsor of National Night Out, recommended that communities postpone events from the traditional first Tuesday in August until October because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many municipalities did not hold events in order to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

This year, the event is making a big comeback on Tuesday, Aug. 3. Traditionally, National Night Out events include food, games and activities; information from local organizations; displays of apparatus; and the opportunity for people to meet police officers, EMTs and paramedics and firefighters.

According to the National Association of Town Watch, “National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.”

Here are some events in central Pa.:

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

• Newville Police Department, 27 W. Big Spring Ave., 6-8 p.m. at the fountain. Equipment displays, first responders, free food, music, games and inflatables for the kids.
• Silver Spring Twp. will hold an event 6-9 p.m. at Stony Ridge Park, 50 Bernheisel Bridge Road, with the police department, fire companies, ambulance and parks and recreation department. It includes free burgers, hot dogs and water; a bike rodeo and bike safety information, bike giveaways, Kidsight vision screenings, ID cards for kids and people with special needs, the fire department smokehouse, blood pressure checks with EMS and a human trafficking awareness booth.

DAUPHIN COUNTY

In Dauphin County, the commissioners, as well as the Sheriff’s Office and K9s and the Department of Public Safety will make stops at multiple events.

• Derry Twp. Police Department, 6-8 p.m. in the first block of West Caracas Avenue. community groups, businesses, vendors, food and refreshments.
• Harrisburg Bureau of Police will hold an event 5-9 p.m. at Camp Curtin School athletic field, 2900 N. Sixth St. It includes fireworks at 8:30 p.m., the chance to meet police officers and other first responders, more than 50 community partners, a free concert by DJ Godfather Cornell Corley, Harrisburg High School cheerleaders, Pennsylvania State Police helicopter, free Rita’s Italian Ice, Farm Show milkshakes, food, games inflatables and giveaways.
• Highspire Borough Police Department’s event is 6-9 p.m. at Memorial Park, 50 Lumber St. It includes nonprofits, community groups and churches.
• Hummelstown Borough Police Department’s event will be held 7-9 p.m. at Schaffner Park, Popular and Water streets with food, games, a chance to meet first responders and a flashlight parade.
• Lower Paxton Twp. will hold an event 5-8 p.m. at George Park with first responders, games, food and activities.
• Lower Swatara Twp. Police Department and Fire Company will hold an event 6-9 p.m. at the fire station, 1350 Fulling Mill Road.
• Swatara Twp. Police Department will hold an event 6-9 p.m. at Vanatta Park behind the 7-Eleven on Derry St. Free food, games and activities, community groups, businesses, churches, nonprofits and vendors.
• Susquehanna Twp. Police Department and other emergency service organizations will hold an event 6-8 p.m. at Susquehanna Twp. High School with selfie/kissing booth with police K9 Augie and Sarah’s ice cream will be sold.
• The Northern Dauphin Human Services Center is sponsoring an event in multiple locations that will include the Berrysburg Fireman’s parade at 7 p.m. at the Berrysburg Fire Department. Events include emergency vehicle displays, a blood drive and coloring/house decorating and reading contests.

LANCASTER COUNTY

• Lititz Borough Police Department will hold an event 5-8 p.m. at the Tree House Playground, 300 W. Orange St. It will include food, bounce houses, a mechanical bull and an opportunity to meet first responders.
• Manheim Twp. Police will host an event 6-8 p.m. at the driving range of Overlook Golf Course with music by Bailey Run, food, games and a cornhole tournament.
• Northwest Regional Police 6-9 p.m. at the West Donegal Twp. building, 1 Municipal Drive. Fire trucks, police cars, EMS vehicles, snow cones, food, milkshakes, face painting, pony rides, bounce house, reptiles, Star Wars characters.

LEBANON COUNTY

• South Londonderry Twp. Police Department will hold its event 5-8 p.m. at Buck Swank Stadium at Palmyra Middle School, 50 W. Cherry St. (Rain date is Aug. 4). Jake Nguyen will perform 5-8 p.m. A candy scramble will be held at 6:30 p.m. Also included are Farm Show milkshakes, a rock climbing wall, games and prizes.

PERRY COUNTY

• Ickesburg Fire Company at the fire company grounds, 6-8 p.m. In attendance will be Landisburg EMS, Perry County Sheriff’s Department, Pennsylvania Game Commission and state police. It also includes activities for kids and refreshments.
• Landisburg Volunteer Fire Company will hold an event at 6 p.m. at 301 Faculty Ave. with refreshments. Visitors can see the company’s new brush truck and meet some of the firefighters.
• Newport Fire Department will hold an event 6-8 p.m. at Newport Veterans Memorial Park. Those attending will be able to go up in the fire company’s ladder truck. There also will be face painting, food, community service organizations, giveaways and music by Kas and Denny Heckard.

YORK COUNTY

• Fairview Twp. Police Department will hold neighborhood events instead of one large event “for more personal interactions.” Officers and staff will be at Green Lane Farms Park and Lewisberry Borough park at 6 p.m. and at Fairview Park and Woodbridge Farms Park at 7 p.m. Officers will be at the locations for 30-45 minutes. Some handouts will be available including frisbees, child ID kits and gun locks.
• Newberry Twp. Police Department will hold an event 6-9 p.m. at BAPS Motor Speedway. Includes free food, entertainment, prizes and fireworks as well as a K9 demonstration child ID kits and raffles.
• Northern York County Regional Police Department will hold an event 5:30-8 p.m. at the Union Fire and Hose Company, 30 E. Canal St., Dover. Police officers will cook and serve hamburgers and hot dogs. Also includes other food vendors and a free concert by Dave Bray USA. Everything at the event is free of charge and is open to anyone living in Conewago Township, Dover Borough, Dover Township, Franklin Township, Heidelberg Township, Jackson Township, Manchester Township, Manheim Township, North Codorus Township, North York Borough and Paradise Township.