National Night Out returns Tuesday for 4th year in Medina

File photo by Tom Rivers: Jonah Fisher, 5, of Albion high fives Sparky the Fire Dog. Jonah’s dad, Medina firefighter Adam Fisher, wore the costume of the friendly dalmatian during National Night Out in Medina on Aug. 2, 2022. The event returns on Tuesday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. outside the intermediate school.

MEDINA – An event that connects residents with first responders and community organizations returns on Tuesday.

National Night Out will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. outside the Clifford Wise Intermediate School. The event is free with hot dogs, beverages and many activities.

National Night Out often draws about 700 people. Albion hosted NNO for five years from 2015 to 2019. It was then cancelled due to the Covid pandemic and restrictions in 2020 and 2021. Medina has hosted it annually since 2022.

“There are a lot of activities, and it will be a way for families to meet law enforcement and establish a connection and relationship,” said Diana Fulcomer, a prevention educator with UConnectCare. She is co-chair of the NNO committee with Sherri Bensley, public health educator with GO Health.

There will be a K9 demonstration at 5:45 p.m., the Battle of the Belts competition beginning at 6:30, and many community members in the dunk tank most of the event. The battle of the Belts feature four-person teams alternating as fast as they can to put on seat belts in four different seats in a car.

More than 40 community groups are expected to be at NNO. There will also be a magician, caricaturist and balloon artist.

A committee has been working on planning National Night Out since January. Fulcomer said NNO is a county-wide event. The committee is open to trying another location next year. The group partners with a law enforcement agency to host the event.