The West Earl Township Police Department will host National Night Out in Broad Street Park, 725 Broad St., Akron, on Tuesday, Aug. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. National Night Out is held to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. This is the second time Akron and West Earl Township will offer the annual event.

Activities are planned for families and people of all ages, and children may especially enjoy learning about and experiencing the emergency vehicles and equipment. First responders from groups such as the Rothsville EMS, Ephrata Community Ambulance, West Earl Fire Company 29, and Akron Volunteer Fire Company 12 will display their ambulances, fire engines and other vehicles, and they will talk about their uniforms. Steffy's Towing will show one of its trucks that is used for accidents and will demonstrate how vehicles are towed. Police officers will exhibit their car, uniforms and equipment.

This year, Pennsylvania Canine Search and Rescue will demonstrate its K9's, and 222 Dutch Lanes will provide rollout bowling mats for anyone who wants to play a game or two. A dunk tank will be featured with West Earl Township police officers being dunked.

Children's activities will include pony rides, face painting and a candy cannon, which will shoot out candy. Children may also enjoy cotton candy, popcorn and ice cream.

Food for sale will include choices from the BBQ Trough, the Whistlin' Cup, the Creamline Cruiser, W Donuts and Zimmerman BBQ.

Theresa Beever will sing the national anthem, and the American flag will be hung by Keystone Gun-Krete's boom truck this year. West Earl Township Police Department's chaplain, Daryl Stoltzfus, will serve as a DJ. He will play music from a playlist that consists of old-school rock 'n' roll and family-friendly tunes.

Games will offer prizes such as free bowling tickets to 222 Dutch Lanes, Yeti products, handcrafted and designed cutting boards by Rick's Custom Wood Designs Inc., sunglasses and lawn chairs donated by Ressler & Mateer.

For more information, contact police officer Samantha Heise at sheise@westearlpd.org.