National Night Out brings police, community together
Published 4:30 pm Monday, October 3, 2016
Community members can meet first responders, get a close-up look at emergency vehicles, take in a free movie and snacks and more during National Night Out.
The event will be held Tuesday across the area including Port Arthur, Nederland, Port Neches, Groves and Bridge City.
The Port Arthur event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Target parking lot. There will be links, drinks and chips, a dunking booth, the BEAR vehicle, fire engine and other emergency vehicles to see.
Nederland will celebration National Night Out from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 1500 Boston Ave.
“Kids can see emergency vehicles, a SWAT vehicle and church and civic organizations will take part as well,” Nederland Police Chief Darrell Bush said. “We’re looking forward to a good turn out and family fun.”
Nederland’s event will feature Kona Ice Sno Cones, activities for kids, popcorn at the fire department and police, fire and emergency vehicles will be on display.
Theresa Beavens, secretary at the Port Neches Police Department, said their event will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Port Neches Riverfront Park.
There will be live entertainment by Jerry Mullin, emergency vehicles on display including police, fire, SWAT and Acadian Ambulance and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit boats. The Sheriff’s Office helicopter is expected to make a landing.
Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens will also be on hand with baby alligators to see.
“There will be face painting and Riverfest officials are donating four Riverpasses to be given away and Direct Auto Insurance will be giving away a bike,” Beavens said.
There will also be snacks; pizza, popcorn, links, snow cones and drinks and JoJo the Pizza Inn mascot will be visiting with kids.
At dark there will be a showing of The Jungle Book on a 40-foot screen.
This marks the first year that Groves is taking part in the event scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4 on Lincoln Avenue. The avenue will be closed from Washington to Coolidge.
Groves City Marshal Norman Reynolds Jr. said there will be bounce houses, giveaways for kids, police cars and fire trucks as well as information on crime prevention and awareness ad bicycle safety.
A showing of the movie Zootopia will begin at dark.
Bridge City will host National Night Out honoring local first responders from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Bridge City Park Pavilion, 101 Parkside Drive.
The event will feature food, games, children’s activities, drawings and more.
National Night Out is an annual community building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, better places to live, according to the NNO website.
Other areas of the nation hold the event in August but the area event is held in October due to the summer heat.
Mary Meaux: 409-721-2429
Twitter: @MaryMeauxPANews