Marlborough Police Chief Darren Morgan is thrilled to once again host the local version of the National Night Out celebration in support of local police and other first responders. The event will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church in Green Lane on August 14, from 3 to 7 p.m.

            "This is a great opportunity for the Upper Perkiomen Valley and surrounding communities to come out, have fun, learn about what emergency services our area provides, what we can do for them, the equipment we use, and the sacrifices we all make," Morgan said.

            The inaugural event in 2019, last year was COVID-cancelled, featured K-9, SWAT, fire extinguisher and vehicle rescue demonstrations, and a medical helicopter.

            This year will be even more educational. "We have doubled the amount of agencies that will be present this year," Morgan said, "providing the community with information on the services that they provide."

            Those agencies scheduled to appear include: East Greenville Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Upper Perk Police, Upper Gwynedd Police, Montgomery County Central SWAT, Harleysville and Upper Perk EMS, Green Lane, Red Hill, Pennsburg, East Greenville, Upper Salford, Upper Frederick and Tylersport fire companies and fire police.

            A few of the many activities scheduled are: music, a dunk tank, bubble making, balloon animals, face painting, impaired driving goggles and a demonstration presented by the Upper Gwynedd Police.

            The NNO committee has also arranged for COVID-19 vaccinations. A table will be available through Montgomery County Emergency Services, providing the J&J vaccine for those who wish to receive it.

            Hand sanitizers will be in abundance at the event.

            Many local businesses and organizations have contributed, among them: Wawa, Redners, Landis, Weiss, Walmart, Chiaros, Green Lane Auto Sales & Parts, Valley Lock & Door, Town & Country, St. John's Church, Green Lane/Marlboro Lions.

            Parking will be available on the church grounds and surrounding properties, if necessary. Enter the church parking lot from Magazine Road. There is no rain date.

            This year's National Night Out celebration officially took place on August 3, but local organizations have the flexibility to schedule their own events. All fifty states participate in some way with millions of citizens interacting with first responders.

            The original event was actually conceived in Lower Merion and was an outgrowth of a Town Watch program in that area of the suburbs just outside of Philadelphia.

            The NNO website cites 1984 as the birth year of the movement that began with neighbors leaving porch lights on as a show of support for police.

            "The first annual National Night Out involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states," states the website.

            The Marlborough-hosted event is part of the nationwide effort to create positive interactions between citizens and police.

            "National Night Out helps cultivate community relations through positive and fun interactions," Morgan said. "This event brings out a true sense of community."