National Night Out Will Return To New Holland

National Night Out began in 1984, when neighbors turned on their porch lights and sat on their front steps. The first attempt at a National Night Out observance in New Holland was in 2018, when the event was canceled due to flooding. In 2019, an observance in the park resulted in the New Holland Borough Police Department giving away 500 half chickens in 25 minutes and distributing 1,500 hot dogs and beverages.

This year's local National Night Out will be held in the New Holland Memorial Community Park, 400 E. Jackson St., New Holland, on Tuesday, Aug. 2, from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will feature free food, entertainment, bounce houses, and a chance to meet community first responders and learn about their equipment.

According to Officer Brett Reifsnyder of the New Holland Police Department, who is coordinating the outreach, the community has responded with donations of chicken from Tyson and hot dogs and buns from Yoder's Country Market. The event will feature Lickity Split ice cream and smoothies and iced coffee by New Holland Coffee Company.

Four local churches will take part in the event by giving away food items, including popcorn and fruit, or offering services, such as free face painting.

Entertainment for the evening will feature Sam Schmidthuber, award-winning country artist from Morgantown. Bounce houses and an inflatable obstacle course and a mechanical bull ride will be on-site. In addition, members of the Garden Spot Fire Rescue and the New Holland Ambulance Association will be present, along with local police officers, to talk with attendees about their services and equipment. Members of the U.S. Coast Guard will bring a seafaring vessel to the park.

A number of community business owners who have sponsored the event will set up displays in the Hart Pavilion during National Night Out. Among these will be Advanced Food Products, CPRS Physicial Therapy, Orlan Truss Hauling, J.M. Lapp, and New Holland Auto Group.

For more information, search for "New Holland Police Department" on Facebook.