SNOHOMISH COUNTY — They say there’s safety in numbers.
On the second Tuesday in August this year, just like it’s been asked since it began, porch lights will shine, neighbors will mingle, and first responders from departments around Snohomish County will be available to the public for questions about safety and security.
The National Night Out has a mission to support partnerships between police and the community, and gives neighborhoods a chance to bond through get-togethers, cookouts, and safety events.
In Snohomish, visitors can look forward to fire trucks, police cars and music at the Snohomish Boys & Girls Club, 402 Second St.
City officials, police, firefighters and local services group will attend this public event. The Lions Club is offering free hot dogs, and Kiwanis will fit kids under 10, for bicycle helmets. Vendors can rent space, to participate: the cost is $10 for nonprofits and $500 for political organizations or candidates. Contact the city of Snohomish for more information.
Bring preschoolers and kindergarteners to this one: there’s a helicopter and fire truck planned to visit from 5 to 8 p.m. at Willis Tucker Community Park, 6705 Puget Park Dr., in Snohomish. Be ready to nibble on free hot dogs and corn on the cob and sip chilled lemonade.
Monroe’s main community event is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Lake Tye Park, 14964 Fryelands Blvd. The event will feature police K-9 demonstrations, bouncy houses and free food.
In Lake Stevens, call 425-622-9401 to register an event, such as a cookout, neighborhood block party, or get-together. Once registered, a Lake Stevens officer will schedule a visit, and answer questions at your event. One event in Lake Stevens features free ice cream at the Trestle Station 76, located at 8011 20th St.
In Everett, 15 neighborhoods list official National Night Out events, ranging from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 6.
A few of the biggest neighborhood events will be held at Wetmore Plaza downtown for the Bayside Neighborhood, Garfield Park for the Riverside Neighborhood and Lowell Park for the Lowell Civic Association.
The Port Gardner Bay Winery, 3006 Rucker Ave., will be again hosting an oyster and burger fest with over 20 different musical groups from 4 to 10 p.m. Also, Dr. Sanford Wright’s famous Grape Stomping Team will be there for the Make a Wish Charity organization.
Elected officials make the rounds to visit each National Night Out.
In other nearby areas, River Park Pavilion in Sultan is hosting an event with food, a bouncy house, community booths and a bike giveaway.
The notion of a national movement, aimed at making communities safer by banding together, started in the 1980s. The National Association of Town Watch formed as a shared platform to connect neighborhood groups. And in 1984, the National Night Out was created, by that group.
In its first year, the nationwide National Night Out drew in 2.5 million people in 400 communities, in 23 states across the nation. This planned camaraderie grew. Now in its 36th year, nationally the night out draws 38 million neighbors in 16,000 communities.
