“National Night Out is a wonderful event that allows law enforcement to positively interact with the community,” said Karen Kahley, secretary for the Mifflin County Regional Police Department and National Night Out committee member, of the Tuesday, Aug. 6 event in Mifflin County, which takes place at Kishacoquillas Park in Lewistown.

“This helps to strengthen and enhance relationships between law enforcement and community members,” she added. “Our event is growing annually, as new organizations reach out to participate.”

The National Association of Town Watch was founded in 1981 to connect community watch groups with information, resources and assets to stay informed and involved, according to the organization’s website.

The organization held the first National Night Out, in August 1984, which included 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states. This year, the event has reached its 40th anniversary milestone.

Photo courtesy of HUNTINGDON BOROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT
National Night Out in Huntingdon has grown to a three-block event in the downtown area.

That inaugural National Night Out involved neighbors sitting outside their homes with porch lights on to talk and building neighborhood camaraderie.

But over the years, the events have grown to include games, bounce houses, pony rides, musical entertainment, face painting and food vendors.

Mifflin County

In Lewistown, the Mifflin County Regional Police Department will again partner with the Borough of Lewistown Police Department and Granville Township Police Department for organizing this year’s annual event.

Last year’s crowd was estimated to be around 1,000 (organizers gave away more than 2,000 hot dogs).

Photo courtesy of MIFFLIN COUNTY REGIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENT
Bicycles were given away during the National Night Out at Kish Park last year.

The Mifflin County-wide event will be held at Kishacoquillas Park from 6 to 9 p.m. There will be numerous vendors, along with free hot dogs and pizza, bicycle giveaways, adult raffle, helicopter landings, fire, police and emergency medical services (EMS) vehicles on display and demonstrations.

“Chief Logan Fire Department is also planning a demonstration,” Kahley said. “Various local organizations and churches are providing games and activities for children, there will be health screenings, information on fraud prevention and Children and Youth will be having a backpack giveaway. Additionally, we have a bicycle raffle at the end of the evening.”

Kahley said the event has been happening locally for quite some time. For the last several years, it has been staged at Kishacoquillas Park with multiple police departments coordinating their efforts.

For more information, find the Mifflin County Regional Police Department on Facebook.

Burnham Pool hosts National Night Out Splash Hop: The event will take place at the Burnham Pool, First Avenue, Burnham, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4. Admission is free. There will be music, a splash contest with prizes, bicycle raffle tickets, free refreshments and tons of fun.

Photo courtesy of MIFFLIN COUNTY REGIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENT
Helicopter rides were a popular attraction at last year’ NNO in Mifflin County.

JUNIATA COUNTY

National Night Out in Mifflintown, which is being presented by the Mifflintown Borough Council, at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6, even features free popcorn and the movie, “Wonka,” beginning at dusk.

In Mifflintown, the event has been held for a number of years. The band Bella Donna returns to perform live music.

“It’s every aspect of the community working together to put on this event,” Mifflintown Mayor Roxann McGinnis explained. “It’s a fun, free night for everybody.”

McGinnis estimates that last year’s event drew crowds of at least 300 to 350 people.

Photo courtesy of SNYDER COUNTY COALITION FOR KIDS
The petting zoo was a popular attraction at Snyder County Night Out last year.

Businesses, churches and organizations and agencies in the community will also be on hand with handouts and other activities for kids at each table.

Pennsylvania State Police, Juniata County Sheriff’s Department and local responders — including the Mifflintown Hose Co. No. 1 and Central Juniata EMS — will be on hand, along with a race car and face painting, bounce house, petting zoo and pony rides for kids. The Knights of Columbus will also be serving French fries and there will be other food vendors.

There will also be a dunk tank with local celebrities (but not likely McGinnis, who joked she wasn’t asked yet to be a target for charity).

“It warms my heart when I see everyone coming out,” McGinnis said. “It’s just a really nice wonderful night. People look forward to it.”

For more information, find Mifflintown Borough on Facebook.

Photo courtesy of SNYDER COUNTY COALITION FOR KIDS
A sign for Snyder County Night Out hangs on one of the pavilions at East Snyder Park in Selinsgrove.

Thompsontown Volunteer Fire Co. No. 8 hosts National Night Out at Haldeman Park: The event from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, features local first responders, drinks, food and kids activities. Haldeman Park is located on East Main Street, Thompsontown.

SNYDER COUNTY

The Snyder County Night Out, presented by the Snyder County Coalition for Kids, is slated for 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at East Snyder Park, 875 University Ave., Selinsgrove. The event will be held rain or shine.

Organizers estimated about 3,000 people attended last year’s event.

This is the 12th edition of the annual Snyder County Night Out — even the year the pandemic necessitated canceling, any past or hopeful exhibitors were given the opportunity to have a post on the coalition’s social media page to share their educational materials so community members could still learn more about the services they offer.

Like the neighboring festivities, Snyder County Coalition for Kids stated the benefit of the event is “connecting first responders to the community, situating them within the park for visitors to easily interact with them in a safe and positive environment. Especially for young children, it’s helpful to meet first responders and see their equipment in a non-emergency situation so it’s not as scary should they ever need emergency assistance” in a release.

Free food and fun for all is just one aspect of the Snyder County Night Out, which has grown slightly bigger and better with each year, organizers said.

There are also inflatables, Honor Guard, Selinsgrove Area High School Marching Band and a petting zoo, along with many engaging activities for youth and their families such as the COOL bus, K-9 rescue dogs, therapy dogs, local fire trucks and emergency vehicles on site.

For more information, visit www.scc4k.org.

HUNTINGDON COUNTY

In Huntingdon County, crowds of about 6,000 people are expected for this year’s National Night Out, which is set for Friday, Aug. 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the downtown area. The event is sponsored by the Huntingdon Borough Police Department.

National Night Out is usually celebrated on the first Tuesday of August, but Huntingdon’s event was moved due to the schedule of the Huntingdon County Fair.

Huntingdon’s National Night Out started out representing just the Huntingdon Borough in 2017, but it has grown to a county-wide event.

Huntingdon’s first National Night Out was hosted at Portstown Park. Since then, it has taken place at the Isett Community Pool and has grown to a three-block event on Washington Street in downtown Huntingdon along with using Bryan Park.

“The most beneficial part of NNO for the Huntingdon Borough Police Department is interacting with our community and bridging relationships,” said Huntingdon Chief of Police Charles Streightiff.

“We are also able to interact with our youth, building positive relationships at an early age,” he added. “The police departments are able to show their vested interest in the communities in which they serve, and break down any barrier between law enforcement and the community.”

Law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel, county service providers and organizations will be present, along with many of their emergency vehicles and equipment which will be on display. K-9s from law enforcement will also make an appearance as well as Department of Corrections staff.

“There will be a dedicated kid fun zone with a dunk tank, 40-foot inflatable obstacle course and foam arena,” Streightiff said. “Learn about services that are available throughout the county in reference to mental health, addiction, the elderly, children and youth, victim services, East Broad Top Railroad and secondary and post-secondary education. Service providers will have information tables and booths, some with free goodies.”

Sunset Slush will be at the event with their delicious Classic Italian Ice available to purchase. Bryan Park will be the spot for entertainment, with the Servello Family providing music.

An annual favorite, the Huntingdon Borough Police Department will also be giving away free cake at its tent in front of the police department building. They’ll also be handing out free gunlocks – while they last – as well as giving away a free bike and a free 2025 family pass to the Isett Community Pool.

For more information, find the Huntingdon Borough Police Department on Facebook.