Neighbors, families and local emergency services will come together this coming Tuesday for the community’s annual National Night Out celebration.
The family-friendly event, scheduled for Aug. 5 from 6-8 p.m. at Philomath City Park, aims to strengthen community bonds while promoting public safety awareness through displays and activities.
“It’s community engagement, getting people comfortable talking to the police… to get everybody together and be able to get familiar with what services we offer and things like that,” Philomath Chief of Police Dave Gurski said.
Agencies and organizations planning to participate include the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol, BCSO Mounted Posse, Philomath Fire and Rescue and the Oregon National Guard. Community partners such as Pioneer Connect, Strengthening Rural Families, Philomath Community Services and Heartland Humane Society will also participate with informational booths.
Attendees can expect demonstrations, vehicle displays, giveaways and various family activities. New this year will be the police department’s Junior Detective Investigation activity, which features the mission of helping solve “The Case of Who Hid the National Night Our Prizes.” Participants will find clues at various booths.
Philomath Fire and Rescue plans to set up an obstacle course and some of the others plan to have giveaways at their booths. At the Philomath Police booth, for example, kids can pick up their own Junior Office Ticket Book.
Food will be provided, including pretzel sandwiches and other snacks.
“It’s always a good event,” Gurski said. “I mean, the fire department helps out with it and we also have the National Guard here and a bunch of different community partners that will have booths set up. So it’s good outreach for everybody in the community that wants to participate.”
National Night Out occurs annually on the first Tuesday in August and has become a tradition across the country. The nationwide initiative encourages communities to interact with emergency personnel in a relaxed atmosphere while learning about local services and safety resources.
