Communities gearing up for National Night Out events
July 29--A number of area communities will hold National Night Out celebrations Tuesday. The events are meant to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer and better places to live.
This year's National Night Out will be the 33rd annual event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.
In Tamaqua, the Tamaqua Salvation Army will hold a Kidz Karnival from 2 to 8 p.m. in the North Railroad Street parking lot. The event will feature food, games, prizes, rides and other activities.
The Tamaqua Community Art Center will host additional activities from 6 to 10 p.m. in Depot Square Park near the intersection of routes 209 and 309. Fireworks will begin around 9:30 p.m.
There will be free hot dogs, drinks, flashlights, glow sticks, stress balls, snow cones, popcorn, temporary tattoos and balloons. Actors from the Tamaqua Community Theater will provide entertainment, and music will be provided by Original Sounds Entertainment.
An unveiling of the "Tamaqua Has Heart" project will be part of the festivities. Attendees will have the opportunity to dip their hand in paint and leave their print on a fiberglass heart that will be placed permanently in the borough.
"It is truly a night where the community brings together many available resources and information to one place, while creating a fun environment which encourages interaction with law enforcement, and connections with volunteer opportunities," Leona Rega, Tamaqua Community Art Center coordinator, said.
"Many times we are looking for important information on where or how to get help for ourselves or a family member. Everything from reporting crime, help for our seniors, our children, drugs and alcohol, recreation and simply positive outlets for our energy. We encourage all residents to join us for this fun evening focused around safe neighborhoods and streets."
Participating groups and individuals include the Tamaqua Police Department, District Attorney Christine Holman, Tamaqua Rescue Squad and Ambulance, American Hose and Citizens fire companies, Arcadia Nursing, ADT Security, Barry Isett & Associates, Green Dot program/SARCC, Hazleton Community Church, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Boy Scouts, Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance, Shafer's Pharmacy, STEP-UP Tamaqua, St. Luke's Hospital, The Link for Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Tom's Auto & Marine Shop and the Pennsylvania Boat and Game Commission.
Other events
Other communities holding National Night Out activities include:
--Mahanoy City: 6 to 8 p.m. from the former Teen Canteen, East Centre Street. The event will include tours of emergency vehicles, child fingerprinting, bicycle registration, dog licensing, borough code enforcement, Hillside SPCA and music. Free hot dogs and drinks will be available.
--McAdoo: 6 to 9 p.m. from McAdoo Borough Hall, 23 N. Hancock St. The event will include fire truck and ambulance displays, child fingerprinting and identification cards, and an appearance by McGruff the Crime Dog. Free hot dogs, chips and drinks will be available.
--Mountain Top: 4 to 9 p.m. from the Wright Township Municipal Park. Wright, Fairview and Rice Township police will be on hand. There will be food vendors and a bounce house.
--West Hazleton: 5 to 8 p.m. from 100 S. Fourth St., behind the borough fire station. The event will include activities for kids and an appearance by Rainbow the Clown. Free hot dogs, hamburgers and soft drinks will be served. A bake sale and tricky trays will also be available.
--White Haven: 5 to 8 p.m. from Lehigh Park. The event, sponsored by the borough police department, will feature a dodgeball tournament, meet and greet with neighbors and first responders, members of the U.S. Army's 361st Military Police Company, tours of emergency vehicles and safety information. There will also be children's activities, including a bounce house, music and vendors.
jwhalen@strandardspeaker.com
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