The public is invited to a countywide celebration of a national program that promotes community safety tonight at the Walworth County Fairgrounds in Elkhorn.
Neighborhoods throughout Walworth County are asked to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 35th annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event.
New this year to the event is the Walworth County Crime Stoppers and Tree House Child & Family Center 5K Fun Run and 1-mile Family Walk. To register visit active.com and search “Walworth County Crime Stoppers.” Proceeds from the run/walk will support the two sponsoring agencies.
Activities planned locally, from 4 to 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 7 at the fairgrounds. Flight for Life is scheduled to arrive at 5:30 p.m. and the opening ceremony will begin at 6 p.m.
The event include a K9 demonstration, Walworth County Sheriff drone demo, Smoke House demos, a demonstration by fire departments, face painting, haircuts, performances by Reptomania and more.
National Night Out is free, with food and beverages being provided by LD’s BBQ, McDonald’s, Alpha Bakery, Frito Lay and Kwik Trip.
Exhibitors will include: Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services including, Public Health and Mental Health, Walworth County Antihuman Trafficking Taskforce, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Open Arms Free Clinic, Sex Offender Registry Program, Geneva Lakes YMCA, Lakeland Animal Shelter, Head Start & Early Head Start, New Beginnings/APFV, Walworth County Drug and Alcohol Coalition, Breastfeeding Coalition, Aurora, VIP Services, Walworth County Sheriff’s Office Fraud Division, Bikers Against Child Abuse and the Medical Reserve Corps.
This year’s primary local sponsor is Thrivent Financial. Other local sponsors include Aurora Medical Center, Advia Credit Union, Kwik Trip, LD’s BBQ and Lamar Signs.
“This is a night for America to stand together to promote awareness, safety and neighborhood unity. National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight to build a safer nation. On National Night Out, we invite neighborhoods nationwide to join us in giving crime and drugs a going away party,” said Matt Peskin, national project coordinator.
For more information, visit Walworth County National Night Out’s Facebook page or contact Deputy Dan Nelson at dnelson@co.walworth.wi.us or Jean Jacobs at jean.jacobs@cssw.org.
