Fox Valley communities to join in National Night Out

Billed as “America's Night Out Against Crime,” National Night Out encourages residents to lock their doors, turn on their porch lights and spend the evening getting to know their neighbors, police officers, firefighters and other city officials.

Traditionally held on the first Tuesday in August, National Night Out is on Tuesday, Aug. 6, this year, although some local events are held on alternative dates.

National Night Out events are held with more than 38 million people in 16,000-plus communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. Here are some local activities for National Night Out:

Algonquin

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, join the Algonquin Police Department for National Night Out from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Algonquin Pool, 599 Longwood Drive. This event, featuring food, swimming, displays, vehicles, demonstrations and more, helps enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while building a sense of community. All daily fees will be waived for the pool during this event. Stick around afterward for the first “Flick and Float” featuring the 2018 film “Mary Poppin Returns” around 8:30 p.m. Admission is free for this event. Visit www.algonquin.org.

Aurora

Forty neighborhoods throughout Aurora are planning events to celebrate National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

“National Night Out in Aurora is a night to unite,” said Cheryl Maraffio, the city's Neighborhood Groups manager. “This one evening provides both an opportunity to connect with neighbors and a foundation to build upon for future neighborhood-based and communitywide initiatives.”

Each celebration encourages residents to come outside and spend the evening getting to know their neighbors, community partners, public safety, elected and city officials. This year, one of Aurora's largest and oldest National Night Out celebrations, hosted at Georgetown Park by the GRENO neighborhood group, will celebrate its 15th anniversary.

The neighborhood events — many including entertainment, food and games — are:

• Ward 1: Garfield Park, 817 Forest Ave. from 6 to 8 p.m.; Lighthouse Worship Center, 111 E. Indian Trail from 6 to 8 p.m.; Grandparents Park, 1704 to 1740 Briarheath Drive from 6 to 8 p.m.; Church Road Park, 1700 block of Church Road from 5 to 7 p.m.; and Savannah Crossing HOA, 2896 Church Road from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

• Ward 2: Restore the Neighborhood, 100 block of Root Street from 5 to 8 p.m.; Luces de Sagrado Corazon, 771 Fulton St. from 5 to 7:30 p.m.; Copley Boxing & Training Center, 517 N. Union St. from 4 to 8 p.m.; and Oak Park Elementary School, 1200 Front St. (parking lot) from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Ward 3: Community Support Team, 1721 Town Center St. from 6 to 8 p.m.; United Neighbors, 500 block of Fourth Avenue from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; and Lake View Residences, Parker Pavilion, 740 Parker Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Ward 4: Luigi's Pizza & Fun Center, 732 Prairie St. from 6 to 8 p.m.; Aurora Township Youth Services, 313 Gale St. from 4 to 7:30 p.m.; Tomcat 4th Ward Neighbors, 200 block of Evans Avenue from 6 to 8 p.m.; A Community Affair at McCleery Park, 1002 W. Illinois St. from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Blackhawk Neighbors, Winona Avenue (between Seneca and Iroquois) from 5 to 8 p.m.; Divine Providence Ministries Church, 402 Sherman Ave. from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.; and Greenman Elementary School, 729 W. Galena Blvd. from 5 to 7 p.m.;

• Ward 5: Freeman Elementary School, 153 S. Randall Road from 5 to 8 p.m.; Kensington Lakes Subdivision, Randall Road & Colorado Avenue from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; and Washington Park, 231 South Constitution Drive from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

• Ward 6: Northwest Territories, 842 Foran Lane from 5 to 8 p.m.; Gayles Memorial Baptist Church, 730 N. Gillette Ave. from 6 to 8 p.m.; Randall West Condo Association, 1373 Monomoy St. from 4 to 7 p.m.; St. Augustine College, 841 N. Lake St. from 5 to 7:30 p.m.; Arrow Wood Park, 1040 N. Commonwealth Ave. from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; and Plum Landing, 495 Lake St. from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

• Ward 7: Eastwood Community Center, 1644 Grove St. from 5 to 8 p.m.; Grand Boulevard Center, 1226 Grand Blvd. from 6 to 8 p.m.; Forest Ridge, 1217 Second Ave. from 5 to 7 p.m.; Main Baptist Church, 814 E. Galena Blvd. from 5 to 7 p.m.; Greater Mount Olive Church of God, 1039 Bonner Ave. from 6 to 9 p.m.; and Oak Park Elementary School, 1200 Front St. from 5 to 7 p.m.;

• Ward 8: Georgetown School, 995 Long Grove Drive from 6 to 8 p.m.; and McCarty Park, 3000 Village Green Drive from 5 to 8 p.m.

• Ward 9: We Inspire Nations, Federal Drive and Congress Avenue from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Ward 10: Village Baptist Church, 515 S. Frontenac St. from 5:30 to 8 p.m.; Butterfield Park, 2515 White Barn Road from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; The Willows of Fox Valley & Aurora, 193 N. Gregory St. from 7 to 9 p.m.; and Carillon at Stonegate south gazebo, Mansfield Drive & Barkston Lane from 6 to 9 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to tag the city of Aurora in posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @CityofAuroraIL and to use the hashtag #AuroraNNO2019.

For more information, including a citywide map of National Night Out events, visit www.aurora-il.org/1796/National-Night-Out.

Campton Hills

Meet your local police officers, join in a hula hoop contest and enjoy face painting and family activities on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

There will be giveaways from local businesses. Enjoy free hot dogs, drinks, ice cream and more.

There will be a bicycle safety check at 5 p.m., flag ceremony at 6 p.m., emergency helicopter fly-in from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and K-9 Officer Koda demonstration from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Visit www.villageofcamptonhills.org.

Carpentersville

The village festivities are from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at the police department, 1200 L.W. Besinger Drive. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and exhibits. Visit cville.org.

Cary and Fox River Grove

The villages are hosting the 10th annual Night Out from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, in downtown Cary on Main Street.

Meet the police officers and firefighters serving Cary and Fox River Grove. There will be K-9 demonstrations, fire engines and public works vehicles on display, and an armored vehicle from Northern Illinois Police Alarm System.

Check out the state trooper cruisers and Cary and Fox River Grove police squad cars and motorcycles. There will be games, prizes, raffles, a dunk tank, food for purchase, and more. Visit www.caryillinois.com.

East and West Dundee

The Dundee Township Park District Family Night will be held in conjunction with East/West Dundee Police National Night Out from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Huffman Park, 811 Tartans Drive, West Dundee.

Play games with community police and firefighters as they bring out all of their squads and trucks. Rosie & The Rivets will perform from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The Dundee Township Lions Club will be giving away free hot dogs, chips and water while supplies last, sponsored by the village of East Dundee. Culvers will be giving away free custard while supplies last, sponsored by the village of West Dundee.

Thrill seekers can take a ride down the Splash Water Slide. Be on the lookout for Splash, the Dolphin Cove mascot. Climb the climbing tree and participate in golf, baseball, soccer, and tennis challenges. You may even leave with your favorite balloon creation.

Elgin

• Elgin's All-City Block Party National Night Out will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave.

At 7 p.m., there will be a K-9 demo with Officers Chad Schuttrow and Colt. Check out the police department SWAT team's ballistic armored tactical transport, Illinois State Police rollover car, and Illinois National Guard's climbing wall.

There will be crime prevention, safety, health and other resource information. There will be plenty of children's activities, the fire safety smoke house, fire pole, SWAT equipment, Elgin Police Department Gator Rides, dunk tank, inflatables and more.

There will be crime prevention, safety, health and other resource information from the Elgin Police Department, Elgin Fire Department and community partners, including the FBI and U.S. Army.

At dusk, the movie “Angels in the Outfield” will be shown. In addition, neighborhood groups will be hosting more than 30 block parties. Visitcityofelgin.org. In case of rain, it will be moved to The Centre of Elgin and the old library parking lot.

• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 195 Nesler Road in Elgin, will host a Community Block Party for National Night Out Against Crime from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6. There will be games, music and food trucks. For information, call the church office at (847) 741-7788 or visit www.goodshepherd-elgin.org.

• On Tuesday, Aug. 6, Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Elgin will participate in National Night Out with a church picnic from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church, 340 Grand Blvd. All are welcome. For information, call (847) 741-8434 or visit blcelgin.org.

Geneva

Residents can celebrate with free pool admission at both Mill Creek and Sunset pools from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6. Sunset Pool is at 710 Western Ave. and Mill Creek Pool is at 39W125 S. Mill Creek Drive. Call (630) 232-4542 or visit genevaparks.org.

Huntley

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, stop by the Huntley Police Department, 10911 Main St., from 6 to 8 p.m. to meet your officers and neighbors, check out some first responder equipment, and tour the police facilities in honor of National Night Out Against Crime.

They also will have activities and games for the kids and public safety information presentations by Huntley Fire Protection District and Community Emergency Response Team-Huntley (CERT-Huntley).

This is a community-building campaign, held annually on the first Tuesday of August, that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, better places to live.

Huntley Police Department encourages all residents to turn on outside lights and asks them to go outside and meet their neighbors. Officers will be driving through the subdivisions to meet with residents who are outside, and will also be attending neighborhood parties. Visit www.facebook.com/HuntleyPolice/.

Kane County

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Kane County sheriff's office invites residents to stop at the judicial center campus at Route 38 and Peck Road, St. Charles, from 6: 30 to 8:30 p.m. The free event will be filled with fun, music, food, face painting, amusements, resources and more. The local School of Rock will perform. The animated film “Incredibles 2” will be shown at dusk. Visit www.facebook.com/kanesheriff/.

Lake in the Hills

The National Night Out Community Cookout will be from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at Safety Education Center, 1109 Crystal Lake Road, Lake in the Hills.

Take a police station tour, watch a live K-9 demo, meet “PC” the Patrol Car Robot, see and touch various types of police and fire vehicles, check out the Flight for Life helicopter (upon availability), try on a pair of fatal vision impairment goggles, visit the police simulation trailer which contains nonlethal training marking cartridges, visit with tactical bike and traffic units, and more. Enjoy a free hot dog. Free. Visit lith.org.

McHenry County

The McHenry County National Night Out will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Petersen Park, 4300 Peterson Park Road, McHenry.

McHenry County Conservation District, McHenry County Sheriff's Office, and the City of McHenry Police Department host an evening with food and fun for the whole family.

Various police equipment will be on display. Play a few midway-style games, including a climbing wall. Booths include: electronic fingerprinting ID system for children, Project SWEEP, Sheriff's Office Explorer, Volunteer and other programs. Special demonstrations: precision riding motorcycle demo at McHenry County Conservation District and McHenry County Sheriff's Motor Units; and Police K9 Demo — McHenry County Sheriff's Office. Visit www.MCCDistrict.org.

North Aurora

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, neighborhoods throughout North Aurora are invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 36th annual “National Night Out” crime and drug prevention event.

From 5:30 to 9 p.m., residents in neighborhoods throughout North Aurora and across the nation, are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police.

Many neighborhoods throughout North Aurora will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, and other gatherings. There will be visits from police, including McGruff the Crime Dog, and the fire department.

If you are hosting a National Night Out gathering, contact Crime Prevention Officer Robyn Stecklein at (630) 906-8146 or rstecklein@northaurora.org to be added to the list.