Compiled by Kay Whatley, Editor
National Night Out (NNO) is “a community-police awareness-raising event in the United States.” Municipalities and police departments generally organize NNO events for the first Tuesday in August — although some places choose Fall dates. The August 2019 events are listed below.
Join the NNO events near you this year, and get to know your neighbors and local first responders. Make this a positive, inclusive night.
For those near the Five County area (Inner Coastal Plain) of Eastern North Carolina, locally scheduled NNO events are listed below.
Ed. Note: Is something missing? Organizers of National Night Out events who do not see their local event listed, email the Editor with details. Information above gathered from public postings by town/city governments and organizations.
Bailey, NC
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 @ 6:30-9pm
Gather along Main Street, Bailey, NC, for this night out free food while supplies last, food for sale from vendors and food trucks, and a donation station to drop off school supplies and backpacks. Organized by the Bailey Chamber of Commerce and Bailey Police Department.
Flyer and event discussion here.
Bunn, NC
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 @ 6-7:30pm
Join the Town of Bunn for its fourth-annual NNO. Gather at Bunn Town Hall and (optional) bring a lawn chair for comfort. Come and meet your neighbors and local Officers. There will be free hot dogs and giveaways for children. Gather at Bunn Town Hall, 601 Main Street, Bunn, NC.
Bunn Police Department’s 2019 event flyer may be viewed on the town website (PDF). Police Department contact information is on the Town of Bunn website.
Fayetteville, NC
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 @ 5-9pm
National Night Out is nationally sponsored by NATW, Dietz and Watson, Ring, Associates, Package Guard, and co-sponsored locally by the Fayetteville Police Department. Come out for this event that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.
To find events in and around Fayetteville, NC, visit the Fayetteville NC NNO web page.
Goldsboro, NC
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 @ 6-8pm
Gather at Herman Park, 901 E Ashe Street, Goldsboro, NC, for this community-oriented event and opportunity to get to know area police officers. Free food, games, a resource fair (services vendors), and live entertainment.
Follow the Goldsboro Police Department FB for possible updates.
Greenville, NC
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 @ 6-8pm
Join local first responders for this night of community events including free foud, inflatables, firetrucks and police vehicles, a dunking booth, and more. Meet the police officers assigned to the area. This year’s NNO will take place across five locations in Greenville, NC.
Refer to the map on this page to determine which event(s) are closest, as the locations are organized by policing areas. Also available from that page is a registration form for organizations wishing to participate.
Louisburg, NC
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 @ 6-8pm
Louisburg Police Department National Night Out 2019 is a community-building campaign that promotes strong police and community partnerships. This event will offer food, school supplies, book bags, and children’s activities. Come out and meet Town of Louisburg police officers. Gathering location is South Main Street Baptist Church, 805 S Main Street, Louisburg, NC.
Details are posted on the town’s website at townoflouisburg.org/event/town-of-louisburg-police-departments-national-night-out-2019.
Middlesex, NC
Monday, August 5, 2019 @ 6-8pm
Join the Middlesex Police Department for this Monday night gathering at Southern Bank, 11438 E Finch Avenue, Middlesex, NC. There will be vendors, giveaways, Muddy the Mudcat, face painting, classic care, inflatables, and free Hot dogs, drinks and chips. Come meet Middlesex Police Officers, and get a free “Back the Blue” decal. Age 17 and under can register to win a Lenovo 8 inch tablet. ($100 value) Bring a chair and listen to live music by The Wilder’s Corner Band and Nashville recording artist’s Willis Gupton.
To request a vendor spot (free), or to become a sponsor or donor, contact Chief Collins via email or call the Middlesex Police Department at 252.235.4077.
For updates, follow the Middlesex Police Department FB page.
Smithfield, NC
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 @ 5-8pm
This event with the Smithfield Police Department will include K-9 demonstrations, entertainment, activities, and free food and drinks. Hosted by Johnston Community College, 245 College Road, Smithfield, NC. Smithfield PD updates may be posted here.
Tarboro, NC
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 @ 6-8pm
Join the Tarboro Police Department for this neighborly event with inflatables for the kids, fun activities, plus hot dogs, drinks, and cake. Gather at the Courthouse Square, N Main Street, Tarboro, NC.
Follow the Tarboro Police Department FB page.
Wilson, NC
Friday, August 2, 2019 @ 6-9pm
The City of Wilson will hold its National Night Out in conjunction with “1st Fridays on the Lawn” featuring live music by Eaglewing (an Eagles Tribute Band). Enjoy the free community concert, a Kids Zone, vendor booths, raffles, and more. A donation station may be available for those wishing to drop off school supplies. The event will be held on the lawn of the Wilson County Public Library, 249 Nash Street W, Wilson, NC. In case of rain, the event moves inside the Edna Boykin Cultural Center.
Details and possible updates may be found at www.facebook.com/events/2154600364669481.
Other Nearby NNOs
- Durham, NC — durhamnc.gov/3715/National-Night-Out
- Morrisville, NC — www.townofmorrisville.org/…/national-night-out
- Wake Forest, NC — NNO is held in October
Ed. Note: Please note that additional NNO locations may be added to this list as they come to our attention. KW
About National Night Out
NNO began in 1984 and is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. Each event organized is designed to increase awareness about local police programs and community issues — including drug prevention and neighborhood watch, while providing an opportunity for community-police communication.
Across the United States, National Night Out is overseen by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). According to their website at natw.org:
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, US territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (Texas celebrates on the first Tuesday in October). Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.
Groups may register their NNO events locally and via the NATW at natw.org/registration.
Ed. Note: Originally published July 23, 2019. Updated August 1.
