National Night Out Brings Community, Local Police Together

HOLMDEL, NJ — National Night Out is Tuesday, and local police departments are joining in.

There will be free gatherings that bring neighbors and first responders together for a good time, some safety lessons and for a chance to donate to a good cause. For example, in Holmdel, there will be a food drive for an area food pantry. In Manalapan, there is a table for donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of New Jersey.

Many of the events also have music, rides, K9 and other demonstrations, petting zoos and more. Check out your town's event.

Here are some local National Night Out events, all on Tuesday, Aug. 2:

Colts Neck: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Bucks Mill Park, 137 Bucks Mill Road; food trucks, inflatables, meet first responders.

Freehold Borough: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Hall of Records Parking lot, 1 E. Main St.; Freehold Fire Department showcase, K9 demonstration.

Freehold Township: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., iPlay America parking lot, 110 Schank Road; free rides, snacks, learn about emergency equipment.

Holmdel: 7 p.m., Memorial Circle, Town Hall. Games, drone demonstrations, Murph the K9. As part of community outreach, the department is accepting donations for a food drive for St. Marks Kitchen in Keansburg, which needs specific items: ketchup, mustard, mayo, Rice-A-Roni, Knorr Pasta, Zip-Lock bags (gallon, quart, snack), juice boxes/Capri Sun/Kool-Aid, pancake syrup, jelly (grape or strawberry), small jars of Kosher dill pickles, bottled water, and dog/cat food and treats.

Howell: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Xscape theater parking lot, 5361 Route 9; vehicle displays, giveaways, DJ music.

Manalapan: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., P.C. Richard & Son parking lot, 55 Route 9. The event has games, music and also an opportunity to donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of New Jersey.

Marlboro: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Cambridge Square, 280 Route 9 North.

Red Bank: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Count Basie Field, 11 Henry St.; games and music, grab-and-go food while it lasts.

Wall: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Police Department, 2700 Allaire Road. K-9 demonstrations, car seat safety, music by Prol Entertainment; petting zoo.

National Night Out, which began in 1984, has become an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and "neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live," according to the organization's website.