(8/3) The Town of Emmitsburg hosted its sixth annual National Night Out event on August 2 at the Eugene Myers Community Park for an evening of community fun and a great opportunity to get to know neighbors as well as your local police and safety personnel. There was an abundance of police vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides, vendors, music, games, complimentary food and more.

Town staff has been hard at work organizing and preparing for the event for the last few months and were very excited and honored to host this community wide festival, according to Town Grants Administrator Madeline Shaw.

The National Night Out event in Emmitsburg is just one of thousands of celebrations held on the first Tuesday in August each year. The goal of the event is to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make Emmitsburg and towns alike a safer, more caring place to live. The event enhances the relationship between neighbors, law enforcement and emergency responders while bringing back a true sense of community.

National Night Out dates back to the 1990’s in Frederick County. National night Out also provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.The event is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, build support and participation in local anti-crime programs and, most importantly, represent the kind of spirit, energy and determination that is helping to make many neighborhoods safer places to live.

Events featured face painting, complimentary hot dogs and ice cream from Antietam Dairy, a bounce house, pony rides, and a petting zoo, music, games, police K-9 demonstrations, "please touch" emergency vehicles, as well as an array of vendors and organization representatives. Most of the food and decorations for the National Night Out festivities have been donated by local organizations.

National Night out is always free to attend, and anyone interested in being a future vendor can contact Shaw at Mshaw@emmitsburgmd.gov. More information about the national night of community involvement can be found at natw.org.