Bellefontaine will join 144 other cities across Ohio and many others around the country Tuesday evening, Aug. 1, in marking National Night Out, an annual event celebrating safety, neighborhood camaraderie and police-community partnerships.
The 2023 National Night Out takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Brown Park, 211 E. Sandusky Ave., Bellefontaine.
During recent years, the Bellefontaine Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association has organized and managed the growing activity as one of their primary events, in addition to their float in the annual Downtown Bellefontaine annual Christmas.
Bobbi Kay Yarchak, a 2022 graduate of the Bellefontaine Citizens Police Academy, invites families, friends and neighbors to stop by for the fun-filled evening, which includes free grilled food and snacks, courtesy of the Bellefontaine Police Department.
“National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that culminates on the first Tuesday of August to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement, while bringing back a true sense of community,” she said. “It provides an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
“We’re excited to join together for a fun night out at the park. It’s an activity that we look forward to each year, and seeing all of the interactions throughout the evening.”
The festivities will include face painting, games with prizes and gift certificates, and BPD and Bellefontaine Fire Department presence with equipment demonstrations. Adding to the summertime fare are root beer floats and popcorn, served along with the grilled food.
The tug-o-war challenges have been a big hit in recent years as well, Yarchak noted, with contests featuring children against first responders, along with police officers challenging firefighters to conclude the night.
Area residents attending National Night Out can also find out other ways to get involved in their community, including the Bellefontaine Citizens Police Academy, which recently graduated its 11th class.
Yarchak, who moved to the area from Dayton, said she wanted to find a way to get involved in her new town, meet others and volunteer locally, so when she came across the Citizens Police Academy, it was a perfect fit. She thoroughly enjoyed the classes and the behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement, and now the chance to volunteer alongside her fellow alumni.
“We’ve got a great group of alumni members, including some new members, so that really helps keep things going,” she said.