National Night Out becomes a summer suburban celebration
There was a time when National Night Out observances were low-key affairs meant to encourage neighbors to leave their houses, spend time together on a warm August evening and perhaps chat with a local cop to demonstrate their unity and support for crime-prevention efforts.
That was 30-some years ago, when the program was just beginning to take shape as the brainchild of Matt Peskin, founder and executive director of the National Association of Town Watch.
Oh, how that simple idea has changed. National organizers say more than 38 million people in 16,000 communities across the country participated in Tuesday's Night Out activities and, in many towns, there was nothing simple about any of it.
In Rolling Meadows, for example, Wayne Messmer was on hand to sing the national anthem and residents could watch stunt dog demonstrations and a sword show sponsored by Medieval Times.
In Naperville, activities are spread over three days, with a kickoff event on Monday at Centennial Beach, a vehicle display this coming Sunday, and more than 50 different neighborhood celebrations on Tuesday.
In Arlington Heights, kids could play in bounce houses or get their faces painted, and everyone could watch rappelling and police dog demos.
Participants at the Kane County sheriff's office in St. Charles could meet members of the sheriff's bomb unit, mounted rangers and honor guard. In Glendale Heights you could take turns at the dunk tank or donate blood. In Mundelein you could go for a ride on a fire engine.
Even Wauconda got involved this year, sponsoring its inaugural Night Out gathering 34 years after the first event.