Newtown will be joining over 38 million neighbors across 16,000 communities from all 50 states, US territories and military bases around the world when it participates in National Night Out next month.

Newtown Community Center, in conjunction with Newtown Police Department and Newtown Prevention Council, will host this year’s event on Tuesday, August 2.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes strong police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, and more caring places to live and work.

Residents are invited to the community center, 8 Simpson Street, from 6 to 8 pm August 2.

There, they will be welcomed by community center staff, members of Newtown PD and other Newtown first responder agencies.

Admission is free to community members and no registration is required.

Activities will include games played with the local first responders, a touch-a-truck event, K-9 demonstrations, music, bounce houses, crafts, face painting, Dunk-A-Cop, giveaways, and other family fun.

National Project Coordinator Matt Peskin said the annual event “is a night for our nation to stand together and promote awareness, safety, and neighborhood unity. National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement.

“When law enforcement and the community work closely together, some amazing things can happen,” Peskin added.

Newtown Community Center Director Matt Ariniello said he is excited to partner with Newtown Police Department “to bring this fun family event to the Community and allow for an opportunity for community members to engage with local first responders.”