National Night Out 2023. Photo courtesy of the City of Harrisburg.
Next week, first responders and the community get a chance to eat, play and have fun together.
The city’s annual National Night Out, hosted by the Harrisburg Police Bureau, will take place on City Island on Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.
National Night Out block parties take place annually across the country on the first Tuesday of August. Last year was Harrisburg’s first time holding the event on City Island, and thousands of residents attended, according to the city.
“We had such a great turnout last year, so we thought, let’s do it again, and make it better,” Harrisburg Police Captain Russell Winder said. “Now, people have heard about it, and if they didn’t get a chance to experience it, now they can take advantage of it.”
Police officers, firefighters and EMTs will participate in National Night Out, which will include family-friendly activities and games, food and music. There will also be over 50 nonprofit organizations onsite to provide information and resources.
Ten food vendors, including food trucks, will serve up bites in the Harrisburg Beach Club and in the Harrisburg Senators VIP parking lot area. Representatives with the Salvation Army will man the grill, and additional offerings include tacos, empanadas and Farm Show milkshakes. Additionally, Blue Bear BBQ, a food truck operated by Harrisburg Police Officer Wesley Feduke, will be onsite.
“This will be the most diverse offering of foods we’ve ever had for National Night Out,” Winder said.
Attendees can board the City Island Railroad, which will make stops at its main station, outside Water Golf and the old arcade building to help people travel around the island. The City Island Carousel is also expected to be running on National Night Out.
Near the carousel, the police K9 division will offer demonstrations with police dogs, and a helicopter will land on the soccer field around 6 p.m. for tours. The Harrisburg Fire Bureau will also offer opportunities to hop in a truck’s bucket, along Championship Way outside the FNB Field third baseline.
Harrisburg police will make a splash at a dunk tank. Community members can take a chance at dunking Deputy Police Chief Kenny Young and other officers. Kids can also enjoy free face painting, balloons and entertainment from a magician.
For live music offerings, jazz performers will play by the island’s east end overlook deck. Additionally, the Harrisburg Cougars Cheerleaders will perform cheers along the festival route.
Participants can get a move on at a new jazzercise class in the pavilion between the carousel and FNB Field. Former Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Colonel Kristal Turner-Childs, the first Black woman in the department to attain the rank, will teach the class.
The north side of City Island, along Riverside Drive and Championship Way, will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event, although cyclists are welcome to bike throughout the island.
Free parking will be available in both north and south parking lots, with sections for handicap parking and golf carts to transport those who need assistance.
Capital Area Transit, a service of Rabbit Transit, will provide free bus service on city routes from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. A shuttle at the Market Square Transfer Center will take people across the river.
For more information on National Night Out, visit the city’s website.
If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!
