Families across the area will have three opportunities to celebrate National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 4, as Corry, Union City and Spartansburg each host free community events designed to strengthen relationships between residents and first responders.
National Night Out began in 1984 through the National Association of Town Watch as a way to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. What started with approximately 2.5 million participants in 400 communities has grown into an annual event involving millions of people in all 50 states, U.S. territories and military installations around the world.
Today, National Night Out celebrations feature block parties, cookouts, safety demonstrations, youth activities and opportunities for residents to meet police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel and other community organizations in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.
This year, residents in the area can choose from three local celebrations, each offering its own unique activities while sharing the same mission of building stronger, safer communities.
Corry: New Location, New Time, Bigger Event
The Corry Police Department is expanding this year’s celebration with a new location, earlier hours and a partnership with The Salvation Army.
The National Night Out and Carnival Block Party will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. along West Washington Street, utilizing the Salvation Army, St. Thomas Church and Corry Public Library properties instead of Corry City Park. The earlier start time was chosen to allow families the opportunity to attend multiple National Night Out events throughout the evening.
“We’ve been planning this for months, and we’re really excited to host this for the community and hope we have a good turnout,” Corry Police Clerk and event organizer Gretchen Douglas said in an interview with Brian Silvis, program director at Channel 98.9 radio.
The event will feature nearly 40 community vendors, carnival games and prizes, a K-9 Miso demonstration by the Corry Police Department, Touch-a-Truck displays, pony rides, reptiles, bounce houses, face painting, balloon art, caricatures, an obstacle course, archery, and live music from Priscilla White and Emerald Band.
Free hot dogs, macaroni salad, popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones and boba drinks will also be available.
Douglas emphasized that everything offered during the event is free.
“As always, everything is free at National Night Out,” she said. “We have something for everybody.”
She also credited the community for making the event possible.
“Every year I am just amazed by the support,” Douglas said, noting the celebration is funded entirely through grants and community donations rather than city funds.
Channel 98.9 will also be on hand with prize giveaways throughout the afternoon.
Union City: A Tradition of Community Connections
Union City’s National Night Out returns for another year from 6 to 8 p.m. at Caflisch Park, where residents will have the opportunity to meet members of the Union City Police Department, Union City Volunteer Fire Department, Union City Ambulance Service and Monark Student Transportation.
The family-friendly event has been a community tradition for more than two decades and continues to focus on bringing neighbors and first responders together in a welcoming environment.
Organizer Amanda Musgrave said everyone is invited to stop by, meet local emergency responders and enjoy an evening of free activities.
The event will include complimentary hot dogs, chips, cookies and bottled water, along with a free Chinese auction featuring boys’ and girls’ bicycles, backpacks filled with school supplies, car seats donated by the Family Support Center, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, emergency vehicle kits and other safety equipment.
Families can also enjoy sidewalk chalk activities for children, while learning more about the services available through local organizations and first responders.
Sponsors include the United Way, Family Support and numerous local businesses.
Spartansburg: Celebrating Community Without a Local Police Department
In Spartansburg, National Night Out takes on a slightly different look.
Because the borough does not have its own municipal police department, organizers have built the event around the Spartansburg Volunteer Fire Department while partnering with the Pennsylvania State Police.
“We are one of few National Night Outs with no local police department, so we focus on our Fire Department along with Pennsylvania State Police,” said Amanda Slaney of Spartansburg Events.
The celebration will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Spartansburg Fairgrounds.
Slaney described the evening as “a mini educational fair in one night.”
Activities include fire trucks and emergency vehicles, Touch-a-Truck displays, live demonstrations, bounce houses, local vendors, food, live music by Dan Douglas, skydivers scheduled for 7 p.m., tethered hot air balloon rides, animals and opportunities to meet firefighters and state troopers.
“We will have Fire Dept, band, bounce houses, skydiving, tethered air balloon rides, animals, truck and more,” Slaney said. “It’s a mini educational fair in one night! Fun for all ages!”
Sunny 105.7 Canadohta Lake’s Greatest Hits will be on hand with prize giveaways.
Building Stronger Communities
Although each community’s celebration offers its own attractions, organizers say the goal remains the same — bringing neighbors, first responders and community organizations together in a positive environment.
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