UPDATE (August 19, 2024): In light of yesterday's storm, and continued cleanup efforts and calls for help from first responders, organizers have announced the cancellation of tomorrow's National Night Out. || UPDATE (August 6): Due to expected impending weather, this event is being postponed to August 20.

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Newtown will again be joining over 38 million neighbors across 17,000 communities from all 50 states, US territories and military bases around the world when it participates in National Night Out (NNO) next week.

Newtown Community Center, in collaboration with Newtown Police Department, will once again host the event on Tuesday, August 6. Residents are invited to Fairfield Hills from 5:30 to 8 pm.

The event this year will be presented in the grassy area between Newtown Municipal Center and NYA Sports & Fitness Center community center’s western parking lot from 6 to 8 pm, on 8 Simpson Street, to enjoy food and activities with community center staff, members of Newtown PD, and other regional first responder agencies and their families.

Newtown Police Sergeant Will Chapman, a co-coordinator of the local event, describes NNO as “a community engagement opportunity for the Police Department.

“It’s just a chance for us to hang and play with our families and also be there to answer any questions Newtown residents may have,” he added.

Chapman added that his favorite part of the event is the chance to bring his kids there and watch them have fun. He will also be participating in the dunk tank and enjoys seeing kids try to throw baseballs to dunk a cop.

Admission into the event is free, with no registration required, and will include games with local first responders, a touch-a-truck event, K-9 demonstrations, music, bounce houses, crafts, face painting, giveaways, and other family fun activities.

Newtown will be participating in the annual event for a third consecutive year, which has been in existence since 1994. Newtown’s national event was one of 35 in Connecticut communities last year with 17,000 communities nationwide registered for the 2023 event.

Newtown Community Center Director Matt Ariniello, also a Newtown NNO co-coordinator, said, “its great to see the community come together and support all our local agencies. It’s turned out to be a true family fun event.”

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Intern Jack Kobrock can be reached via editor@thebee.com.