National Night Out (NNO) is an annual event held on the first Tuesday in August that is designed to promote a sense of neighborhood camaraderie and to enhance community relationships with local law enforcement officers.

Locally, NNO will be celebrated in Parkesburg on Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Minch Park, 111 West St., Parkesburg. The event, being presented by the Parkesburg Borough Police Department and the Parkesburg Parks and Recreation Committee, will include children's activities, food trucks, a dunk tank, free face painting and a display of emergency vehicles.

According to Parkesburg Police Chief Ryan Murtagh, residents will be able to meet with police officers and children will enjoy viewing the emergency vehicles. "We will bring a few of the police cars and the department four-wheeler so the kids can view the equipment and take photos if they want," he said. "We are doing free police giveaways. We will give away stickers, artwork, wristbands and freeze pops."

Last year, Murtagh took part in Parkesburg's NNO as a police officer sergeant but was promoted to police chief in February. He now runs a department that includes 12 police officers. "Last year, (NNO) was amazing. We hope to build on that," he added.

Also on hand during NNO in Parkesburg will be members of the Keystone Valley Fire Department, who will also display vehicles and apparatus.

As it did last year, the Parkesburg Parks and Recreation Committee will present an obstacle course. "The obstacle course is for little kids, big kids and adults," explained committee member April Brade. "We time it, so some people go through and try to beat their time. That was a lot of fun for everybody last year."

Murtagh said that NNO is a way for the community to get to know first responders and police officers. "It strengthens community relations," he said, noting that in the past, the department has held question-and-answer presentations at schools in the Octorara Area School District regarding the law and social topics. "We also enjoy our relationship with The Parkesburg POINT Youth Center."

Both Brade and Murtagh encourage the community to attend NNO. Most events are free, with the exception of purchasing food. There will also be a small donation for the dunk tank.

"Last year, it was a big success, and we are looking to redo it," said Brade. "We encourage children and young adults to meet the first responders and the police department and strike up a good rapport."

For more information about NNO in Parkesburg, visit http://www.facebook.com/parkesburgparksandrecreation. Details are also available on the News Feed at http://www.parkesburgpolice.org under the heading "National Night Out - August 6, 2024."