The town's annual Family Fun Night on Friday, September 23, brought together scores of local families for a evening of dining, socializing, and recreation in the cafetorium of Reed Intermediate School.

The two-hour event, which is sponsored by The Parent Connection, Inc and The Newtown Prevention Council, is intended to bring together family members for an evening of simple fun, during which the use of electronic devices by participants is not allowed.

The families dined on ziti and meatballs, plus salad, with ice cream sundaes served as dessert.

A DJ provided recorded music during the event, which featured family entertainment. Children from the very young to adolescents participated in a range of activities, including bending to pass beneath the limbo bar and performing synchronized dance routines.

As the families dined in the large room, spirited amplified music kept the mood of the evening upbeat.

Family Fun Night is intended to encourage families to act on the idea that family time and relationships are important for leading healthy lives, according to the sponsors.

The event's sponsors explain that Family Fun Night provides an opportunity for familial bonding through increased familial communication. The motto of Family Fun Night is "Make Mealtime Matter."

By setting one day a week aside to increase communication within a family, much can be gained, allowing families to strengthen as a unit and grow in support, spirit, and cohesiveness, according to the event's sponsors.

The Newtown Parent Connection is an organization created by concerned parents and other informed citizens to address the problem of substance use among young people. The group's mission is to educate the public on the prevention of substance abuse and to help families in crisis.

The Newtown Prevention Council is a coalition of community members intended to create a culture in Newtown in which youths and families make healthy, thoughtful decisions, and practice substance-free living.