"National Night Out enhances relationships between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community," said Joe Stauffer, chief of the Manheim Borough Police Department. "On a personal note, I have always been a huge advocate of finding ways to unite our community with our police officers and first responders. Most of us, myself included, live and raise our children within the Lancaster County community."

Manheim will hold National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Manheim Hope Fire Department, 83 S. Main St.

The evening will feature lots of family-friendly fun, Stauffer said. "We have approximately 10 food trucks, face painting, cornhole with police, numerous community service groups and other local businesses," he remarked. "There will be displays from first responders, including police, fire and EMS from the Manheim area."

Held annually on the first Tuesday in August, National Night Out began in 1984 as a way to bring police and community members together. The first year, 2.5 million people across 400 communities in 23 states participated in the event. Over the years, the celebration has grown to encompass 38 million people in 17,000 communities throughout the United States.

Stauffer encourages everyone to come out for Manheim's National Night Out, noting that the event promotes community and fellowship. "This event gives community members a positive event where they are able to meet local first responders, see their equipment, get into the emergency vehicles and ask questions that they may not normally have the opportunity to do," he said.

For more information on the National Night Out program, visit https://natw.org.