National Night Out Moving To New Location In Lower Merion

ARDMORE, PA — Lower Merion Township's annual National Night Out celebration is getting a new home this summer.

The 43rd-annual National Night Out Festival will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4 at Suburban Square in Ardmore, marking the first time the community event will be held at the shopping destination.

Hosted by the National Association of Town Watch in partnership with Lower Merion Community Watch, the free festival is expected to draw thousands of residents for an evening focused on public safety, community engagement and family-friendly entertainment.

Attendees can expect live music, food vendors, rides, carnival games, roving entertainment, safety information and exhibits from local nonprofits and businesses.

Representatives from the Lower Merion Police Department, local fire companies and Narberth Ambulance also will be on-hand to meet residents and showcase emergency response equipment.

The event is part of the nationwide National Night Out campaign, which this year marks its 43rd anniversary. Organizers say millions of people in more than 16,500 communities across all 50 states are expected to participate.

National Night Out was founded by Wynnewood resident Matt Peskin, executive director of the National Association of Town Watch. Peskin says he will attend the Lower Merion festival.

"We are excited about the move to Suburban Square and are expecting a big crowd," Peskin said in a statement.

According to organizers, National Night Out aims to raise crime prevention awareness, encourage participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen partnerships between police and the public, and demonstrate that neighborhoods are united against crime.

More information about the nationwide initiative is available at nationalnightout.org.