National Night Out Is Aug. 6

DAYTON-Dayton's annual National Night Out event will take place at the Dayton City Park on Tues., Aug. 6 from 5-8 p.m. Columbia County residents are encouraged to join with thousands of communities nationwide in celebrating an evening of family fun and information during the anti-crime and anti-drug event.

The City Park will be filled with events and activities. Banner Bank will provide free hotdogs which will be served with a smile by Dayton Kiwanis and Lion's Club volunteers. Pepsi-Cola Bottling, co. will provide free soft drinks and Puget Sound Energy will make sure bottled water is at hand.

Approximately 30 exhibits and displays are expected to be on site. Get a close-up look at a LifeFlight helicopter and National Guard Lakota search and rescue helicopter, have your child fingerprinted and videotaped for an emergency response identification packet by the Child Abduction Response Team, and check out the Sheriff's Office patrol jet boat. Fire District No. 3 will be on site to provide ambulance and fire truck tours and Kyle's Custom Toys and Towing will have a HUGE tow truck on display.

The YWCA will provide a wide variety of kid's games and activities and there will be free prize drawings conducted by many of the exhibitors throughout the evening. A free movie in the park at 9 p.m. courtesy of Blue Mountain Counseling. Bring lawn chairs and blankets and be prepared for an evening of fun. (Please note that no animals are allowed in the park.)

Last year's National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 37 million people participated in National Night Out in 2018. Nearly 1,000 people typically attend National Night Out in the Dayton City Park each year.

National Night Out is designed to: Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals and drug dealers letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.