Mt. Pleasant’s Night Out will be back Aug. 3, after a year off because of pandemic restrictions, and organizers expect the event to be bigger, and better, than ever.

It’s part of the National Night Out campaign that is held on or around the first Tuesday in August in many communities across the country. It is meant to bring together local law enforcement and the residents they serve.

The Mt. Pleasant event is set for 5:30 to 8 p.m. in Frick Park. In addition to borough police officers, those attending will be greeted by local firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

“The last 18 months has been really hard on everybody,” said Sarah Opalinski of the Council on Substance Abuse and Youth, which is co-sponsoring the event. “We couldn’t do it without our first responders, so we want to recognize them and, as a community, say thank you.”

Now in its fifth year in Mt. Pleasant, the Night Out is free and includes activities and games for kids and families, along with sandwiches, snacks, ice cream and cookies.

Attendees will get tickets for the food by visiting one of the police officers on hand.

“Our purpose is to get the community, and kids especially, to build relations with our police force and first responders,” Opalinski said.

Entertainment will include music by DJ Rick Fike and dancing led by Find Your Fire Fitness, which will get “everybody out there and moving,” according to Opalinski.

Basket and bicycle raffles also will be featured. Those who bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the local pantry will receive an additional raffle ticket. Kids age 15 or younger will receive a free ticket for the bike raffle.

Those attending also may browse among more than 50 booths for area vendors, businesses and organizations, up from about 40 in 2019.

The rain date for the event is Aug. 5.

Several other area communities are planning to observe National Night Out:

Westmoreland County

• Murrysville, 4:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 3 at Murrysville Public Works, 4200 Sardis Road. Food trucks will be available for purchase of dinner or dessert.

• Allegheny Township, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 4 at Pavilion 8 in Northmoreland Park. Also co-sponsored by the Council on Substance Abuse and Youth, it will recognize first responders and frontline workers.

Allegheny County

• Castle Shannon, 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 3. Participating residents are invited to turn on their lights and sit on the porch.

• McCandless, 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 3 at McCandless Town Hall. Kids can bring their bicycles and helmets for a bicycle rodeo and are encouraged to dress as their favorite first responder. McCandless Community Association will host a Movie in the Park at dusk. Raffles, giveaways and free hot dogs also will be featured.

• Monroeville, 6 to 8 p.m. in pavilions 2 and 4 at Monroeville Community Park. Food, games, music and kids’ activities will be featured. A medical helicopter will be on hand, along with local police and other first responders.

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