After last year’s festivities were washed out, checking the weather forecast was added to the things to do.

“So far, so good,” said McGinnis of the weather reports for the Tuesday, Aug. 5, event, which starts at 5 p.m. at Myers Park and presented by the Mifflintown Borough Council. “I keep looking at the extended forecasts, and it does look good.”

As the sun sets on Aug. 5, cities and towns around the Juniata River Valley will participate in National Night Out, held the first Tuesday in August, aimed at strengthening police-community ties and fostering a greater sense of security.

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.

Photo courtesy of MIFFLINTOWN BOROUGH
Myers Park was filled with people for the National Night Out in Mifflintown.

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

That inaugural National Night Out involved neighbors sitting outside their homes with porch lights on to talk and building neighborhood camaraderie, safe neighborhoods and pleasant places to live and work.

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

“It’s all about the children and the local law enforcement officers,” McGinnis explained. “We want everyone to come and have a wonderful time.”

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

Photo courtesy of MIFFLINTOWN BOROUGH
Agencies gave away information to visitors under the tent at Myers Park in Mifflintown.

“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 the event in 2023 drew crowds of at least 300 to 350 people.

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 race cars and face painting, games, bounce house, petting zoo, pony rides for kids and other activities. The Knights of Columbus will also be serving French fries and there will be other food vendors, including Gridiron Pizza.

“We try to keep everything local,” McGinnis added.

At dusk, the movie, “The Wild Robot,” will be shown at the park with free popcorn. Attendees should bring their own chairs or blankets.

The emcees for the event are 2024 Mrs. Pennsylvania Ashley Stremme, of Mifflintown, and local businessman Mark Zimmerman.

“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.”‘

Now, if Mother Nature will just cooperate.

For more information, find the Mifflintown Borough on Facebook.

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 National Night Out event.

The Mifflin County-wide event will be held at Kishacoquillas Park in Lewistown, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

The Mifflin County event will feature local police, fire and emergency medical services (EMS) vehicles on display, along with multiple helicopter landings, including Pennsylvania State Police, Penn State Health Life Lion and a Blackhawk (barring any emergencies).

Various local organizations and churches are providing games and activities for children as well as a first aid kit giveaway, information on fraud prevention and Children and Youth will hold a backpack giveaway.

In the former scooter car pavilion, free hot dogs, chips, cookies and water will be served. At the cream pavilion, Fame EMS will serve sno-cones and Starbucks will hand out samples. Additionally, a bicycle raffle will be held at the end of the evening for the children, along with an adult raffle with various prizes.

“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. “This helps to strengthen and enhance relationships between law enforcement and community members.

“Last year, we had significant rainfall on the day of the event,” Kahley added. “We are hopeful Mother Nature will cooperate this year.”

In 2023, crowds were estimated to be around 1,000 (organizers gave away more than 2,000 hot dogs).

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 Thursday, July 31. Admission is free. There will be music, a splash contest with prizes, bicycle raffle tickets, free refreshments and tons of fun.

For more information, find the Mifflin County NNO page on Facebook.

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. 12, 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 13th 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 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 in Huntingdon, which is set for Friday, Aug. 1, 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 as a spot for entertainment, with the Servello Family providing music. The Presbyterian Church will offer kids activities.

“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,” Streightiff said. “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. Mount Union Police Department officers — Cpl. Jonathan Marsh and Ofc. Bradyen Bumgardner — also will take part in nearby Huntingdon.

There will be a dedicated kids activity zone with a dunk tank, foam zone and 40-foot inflatable obstacle course.

“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,” Streightiff added.

An annual favorite, the Huntingdon Borough Police Department will also be giving away pieces of the annual National Night Out cake at its tent in front of the police department building. They’ll also be registering folks for a free bike giveaway and a 2026 family pass to the Isett Community Pool.

For more information, find either the Huntingdon Borough Police Department and Mount Union Police Department pages on Facebook.