Tuesday’s National Night Out includes food, fun and information

The Wilson Human Relations Office and Wilson Police Department will present the 2024 National Night Out community safety event from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Toisnot Park, 1500 Corbett Ave.

National Night Out focuses on community safety and engagement with local law enforcement and emergency services agencies. About 38 million people in 16,000 communities around the world participate.

Wilson and Wilson County agencies — including police, fire, sheriff and emergency services — will be on hand with display vehicles and interactive booths. About two dozen vehicles will be on display and open to children.

Organizers say National Night Out is a chance for Wilson residents to gather information and build relationships with those who serve residents in critical times. The goal is to heighten crime prevention, build support and raise awareness.

“‘Engage, Educate and Celebrate’ is the motto for the Human Relations Office,” said Billy Woodard, human relations director. “National Night Out is another opportunity for us to partner with public safety officials and nonprofit groups to reach all citizens.

“We strengthen relationships with neighbors and youth and educate the community of resources available in time of need,” he said. “This helps to provide for a better quality of life under favorable circumstances. Community outreach and uplifting citizens are vital parts of increasing community development, safety and awareness.”

Around 30 community agencies and nonprofits will attend to share information about services and programs. New participants include Dress for Success, Carolyn’s Clothing Closet, the Civil Air Patrol, Casa Azul de Wilson and Waymakers of North Carolina. Each participating organization will provide a door prize. Attendees are encouraged to register at the Human Relations Office tent to enter the drawing.

A DJ will provide musical entertainment throughout Wilson’s National Night Out, which will open with the national anthem sung by retired police officer Steven Gardner. During the event, attendees will hear messages from city and county officials and Human Relations Commission members.

The Wilson Police Department K-9 unit will give a demonstration, and the Loyal Leisure Senior Citizens Club will provide a cheer performance.

The Wilson Youth Council will host the kids’ zone with a bounce house and obstacle course, a face painter, a balloon twister and activities from the Imagination Station Science and History Museum, Wilson Arts and Wilson Parks & Recreation.

Food vendors include Everette’s Concessions with hot dogs, hamburgers, pork barbecue, fries, nachos and funnel cake; Taste of Texas with Mexican street food and snow cones and Uncle Dave’s Kettle Corn with several flavors of kettle corn. The Mount Hebron Masonic Lodge will have a fish fry. Prices will be posted at each food truck.

Terrestrial Skate will hold a skate park competition at 7 p.m. Child and teen skaters are encouraged to take part in the “best trick” contest.

In case of inclement weather, the entire event will be postponed to Friday, Aug. 9, at the same time and same location.

Parking is available within the small lots in and around Toisnot Park. Curbside and parallel parking will be allowed along Lawndale Drive. Extra parking is provided in the grassy area across from the playground. Parking will also be open around the ballfields on the far side. Attendees can cross the bridge to attend events.

The free-admission National Night Out is family-friendly and alcohol-free. Families are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating.

All Wilson residents are encouraged to turn on their porch lights Tuesday evening to show support in the fight against crime. Organizers say NNO is meant to build communities where people look out for each other and report suspicious activity. To facilitate that goal, they encourage residents to get out of their houses, talk to their neighbors and meet any new neighbors they don’t already know.

For more information, call the Wilson Human Relations Office at 252-399-2308 or search for National Night Out on WilsonNC.org .

The post Tuesday’s National Night Out includes food, fun and information first appeared on Restoration NewsMedia .