National Night Out is a nationwide campaign to get people to turn on their porch lights and gather in their neighborhoods to promote crime prevention. Several Charlotte, NC neighborhoods are participating:* The Villages of Back Creek: Includes Winding Creek, Arbor Ridge and Back Creek Forest. Annual party 7-10 p.m. with visits from politicians and public safety officials.
First Ward: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. @ First Ward recreation center: Dinner, games, prizes, fellowship.
* Fountaingrove and Arbor Hills: Residents in Fountaingrove and Arbor Hills will walk through both neighborhoods, then gather at 7 p.m. to hear from police and other speakers. Refreshments will follow. Website: More info
*Glenwater: Residents of Glenwater at University Place townhomes will meet at the pool 7-9 p.m. for face painting, karaoke, water games and door prizes. Planners hope police and Medic will visit. Bring a chair, cooler, a picnic, snacks to share and whatever else you need. It also doubles as the kickoff meeting for community watch block captains. For more details, contact Joe @704-277-5578.
* Hidden Valley: Neighbors will meet 5-8 p.m. at Tom Hunter Park, 919 Tom Hunter Road, for food and games for children, teens and adults. Residents can sign up for crime watch and the community association. For details, call Verona Vaughn @ 704-597-8344.
*Houston Hills: Residents will gather at the playground, near the entrance, from 6 to 9 p.m. Leaders have invited police and hope neighbors will get to know each other in this new neighborhood off Harris Houston Road.
* Mallard Forest: Neighbors are expanding activities this year to include adults, after a strong showing for their inaugural event last year. The 100-home community plans an egg race on a spoon, hula hoop, tug of war, relay races and other contests based on age. Residents should turn on their porch lights and meet at the entrance at 6 p.m. for a walk, with events to follow on Trimbach Way. It ends at 9 p.m.
*Mallard Ridge: Neighbors plan to walk through the neighborhood at 7 p.m. Website: More Info
* Montclaire Neighborhood Association: 6:30 p.m. – 9pm @ Madison Park (near Marion Diehl Recreation Center) Kids games, Music, Food
*Winterfield Neighborhood: Big block party Tuesday, August 1st, to commemorate this year's "National Night Out". The event takes place in the 3800 block of Driftwood Drive---hours are 6 to 8:30pm. Bring a covered dish to share (meat and soft drinks will be provided). Enjoy games, tattooing and street art. See and climb into fire and police department vehicles---and meet with community leaders and neighborhood police officers. The event is also hosted by Weed and Seed, the Eastway Police Department and NCCJ. For more information, call Tracy Perreault at 704.365.2620.
*Matthews, NC: The event is set for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Stumptown Park, on South Trade Street. It will be sponsored by the Matthews Police Department and Target. Police and community organizations will hold informational programs on personal safety, ID theft, bike safety and robbery prevention. Guest speakers will include crime prevention specialist Dan Starks, who appears on WCNC-TV (Channel 36). Special children's activities are planned, and a number of food vendors will be on hand.
*Union County, NC: Union County will host an event in Lake Park from 6 to 10 p.m. as part of National Night Out. Monroe, Waxhaw and Wingate also have events planned for the night. Union County's event will include activities for children, such as a climbing wall, booths with information and sign-ups, demonstrations from law enforcement officers and giveaways.
* Huntersville, NC: Northcross Shopping Center is the site of a city-wide observance, including food and games (5-7 pm)
* Concord/Cabarrus County: In the Concord area, events (mostly cookouts) are planned for these neighborhoods -- Brown Mill (4-7 p.m.); Gable Oaks (5:30-8:30 p.m.); Gibson Village (7:30 p.m.); Kiser Woods (6:30 p.m.); Logan (6-9 p.m.); Old South (6 p.m.); Silver Hill; and Underwood.