A previous National Night Out event
The community will gather next month to celebrate a night of family-friendly entertainment and connection.
The Harrisburg Police Bureau is hosting its annual National Night Out, a free event that gives the public an opportunity to interact with the city’s police force and emergency services personnel, while having fun.
The event will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the PA Farm Show & Expo Complex, outside between the Northwest Hall and Equine Barn. Most activities will be outdoors, with some inside the building. This is the first year the event will take place at the farm show. Last year’s event was held at Strawberry Square.
National Night Out will feature a live jazz band, 15 food vendors, a petting zoo, an outdoor DJ, a helicopter landing, police horses and K-9s, two amusement rides, arts and crafts, games and giveaways.
Cpt. Russell Winder Jr., of the police bureau’s Community Services Division, emphasized the importance of uniting Harrisburg’s residents.
“National Night Out is designed to bring law enforcement in direct contact with community members. This is a way of continuing to bring everybody together,” Winder said.
Last year’s event drew about 2,500 to 3,000 attendees, and Winder expects the number to hold or climb, depending on the weather.
National Night Out block parties typically happen across the country at the beginning of August. According to Winder, Harrisburg hosts the only National Night Out where everything, including food, is completely free.
“The only responsibility the public has is to show up and enjoy themselves,” Winder said.
Once again, rabbittransit will partner up with the bureau to provide free bus transportation for individuals to and from the event from 5 to 8:30 p.m.
General parking will be located off the Wildwood Park Drive entrance, and handicapped parking will be available in the lot off Maclay Street.
For those attending National Night Out for the first time, Winder said he hopes they find officers approachable, knowledgeable and passionate about serving the community.
“I hope the public finds their tax dollars are well spent and that working together can go farther than working against each other,” Winder said.
In case of extreme weather conditions, the event will be moved to the following day on Aug. 5.
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