National Night Out... What Is It, Anyway?

In order to put together my list of events for the week, each week, I have to browse the websites of park districts, libraries, stores, etc, all around DuPage. I kept coming across notices about National Night Out events. What the heck is National Night Out?
So I looked it up, and found out that National Night Out is an event that was created by the National Association of Town Watch. This organization works to get neighborhood and town watch commities, law enforcement agencies; state and regional crime prevention associations, businesses, civic groups, and individuals, working together to prevent crime. They created National Night Out as a way of spreading crime and drug awareness to entire communities, help get communities to support the police and anticrime organizations, and send a message to criminals that these communities are ready to fight back.What better way to get lots of families and individuals in on it, than to host a night of fun?
On August 3, several towns across DuPage County will be having their own National Night Out celebrations. If your town isn't having one, its not too late to start your own in your neighborhood! A Night Out celebration can come in the form of a block party, a picnic, or anything else you want it to be.
But if you prefer to go to a larger celebration, check out what these towns have planned!

Addison  - Addison hosts it's Addison By the Slice Pizza Bakeoff, where people can taste pizza from all different places, and vote for their favorites. Slices of pizza will be sold for $1.00 each, as well as soda, beer and wine. There will also be a free concert, which will include a performance of "Paparazzi," and a health fair put on by Wood Dale Family Medicine. This event will take place on the Village Green, east of Village Hall, 1 Friendship Plaza in Addison. It will be from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Bartlett - This town will be celebrating National Night Out all weekend long! Friday at 6:00 there will be a tailgate party, where families can socialize with each other and members of the Bartlett Police Department. Police officers will then lead participants on a flashlight walk through the park. (Bring your own flashlight!) Kids will also be able to construct build-a-kits from Home Depot. Afterwards, participants can hang out in the pool! Then, on Saturday night, individuals will host their own block parties, with a contest to see which block is the best lit. On Tuesday at 3:30 there will be a bicycle obstacle course, and then participants can ride with the Village President to the National Night Out Picnic. The actual picnic will be full of excitement, and will include free food and drinks, the Jesse White Tumbling Team, and a performance by Hawaiian Fire Dancers! It will take place at Bartlett Park, at Oak Avenue and North Avenue in Bartlett. Click here for a full schedule of events.

Burr Ridge - This town's party is called :Bubbles, Beach Balls and Big Fun!" It will take place from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Harvester Park, 15 W 400 Harvester Drive in Burr Ridge. People are also encouraged to come early and bring picnic dinners. There will be free ice cream, a performance by Dave Rudolf, and children's activities that include hula hooping, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, beach balls, and more. Police and fire fighters will be there to meet and greet residents. It is free, but families are asked to call and register at (630) 920-1969.

Carol Stream - An event  is planned for 6 p.m. to dusk, at Community Park, at the east end of Thornhill Drive.  There will be a community barbecue, music and fun activities for children.

Glendale Heights - Join community members at Camera Park, 101 E. Fullerton, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. According to the Village's website:  activities will include "Police canine demonstration, Police dunk tank, visit from McGruff the crime fighting mascot, emergency apparatus demonstrations by the Glenside Fire Protection District, and interactive games provided by the Girl Scouts." If you have an old computer sitting around, you can also drop it off, and the Boy Scouts will clear all of your information from it and donate it to a needy family. There will also be free hot dogs and hamburgers, soft drinks, and snacks!

 Itasca - A huge party is planned! You can visit the website for a complete list of what will be there, but a few of the attractions include free open pool hours, a fire pole slide, a climbing wall, Gameworks, an X-ray van, a bike obstacle course, and face painting. This all takes place from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Itasca Water Park, 100 N. Catalpa in Itasca.

Oakbrook Terrace - A concert and an outdoor movie will be shown. Police and fire fighters will be on hand, along with their vehicles. This takes place at Heritage Center, 1 S 325 Ardmore, from 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm.

Roselle - Show up at Turner Park, 81 E. Devon Avenue in Roselle, from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Visit the website for more info. A few of the attractions include free hot dogs, live music, a movie and popcorn, and a climbing wall.

Villa Park - Its up to individual neighborhoods to organize their own National Night Out parties, but if you do, you can call the police station to arrange a visit from a police officer!

Warrenville - Come to Summerlakes Club House, 2 S 020 Continental Dr in Warrenville, for an event that will include free food and drinks, free prizes, a police K-9 demo, a clown, face painting, and more.

West Chicago - Meet at Reed-Keppler Park, 129 W. National Street in West Chicago, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Festivities will include a flashlight walk through the park, an outdoor movie on the baseball field, a pool party, the chance to meet police officers and fire fighters, free food and drinks, and giveaways.



Have a great National Night Out! Have fun and stay safe!