FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Matt Maisel
Director of Communications, City of Harrisburg
(717) 255-7295
[email protected]
July 26, 2023
HARRISBURG – The Harrisburg Bureau of Police, Harrisburg Bureau of Fire, and dozens of City of Harrisburg non-profits are looking forward to seeing you for this year’s National Night Out, held for the first time on City Island, on Tuesday, August 1, from 5:30-8:00 p.m.
National Night Out is an annual event which promotes community building between first responders and local neighborhoods. City of Harrisburg residents will get to meet and get-to-know police officers, firefighters, and EMTs throughout the evening. There will be family-friendly activities and games, food, and informational giveaways courtesy more than 30 non-profits organizations which serve the Harrisburg community.
“We often times are so busy that we don’t have enough time to be able to extend ourselves in our regular duties,” said Chardan Huston, Director of Community Relations and Engagement for the Harrisburg Bureau of Police. “This is an opportunity to be able to do that and engage with our community, to show them who we are and what we look like, and be able to interact in a safe environment.”
For the first time in its history, Harrisburg’s NNO will take place on City Island. There will be ample parking available for free in both north and south parking lots. Bicycle riders can bike throughout City Island during the event, or take advantage of free bike parking, courtesy Recycle Bicycle, which will be stationed near where the batting cages and arcade used to be located.
Handicap parking will be available near the stables. No cars will be allowed on Riverside Drive or Championship Way during National Night Out.
In addition, Capital Area Transit, a service of Rabbit Transit, is offering free bus service on all city routes from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 1 to help families make their way downtown. Harrisburg Police will offer golf cart shuttle service across the Walnut Street Bridge for handicap individuals.
The City of Harrisburg decided to hold this year’s festival on City Island because National Night Out has grown exponentially over the last few years, and City Island has the size, parking, and public transit accessibility to accommodate a growing event, according to Director Huston.
“City Island is a great venue to be at. It’s a family-oriented venue, and a great park that highlights a lot of activities or children don’t normally get a chance to experience,” she said.
When families get to City Island, they will be greeted by the Community Services Division information table. The City Island Railroad will be up and running with three total stops – its main station, outside Water Golf, and the arcade — to help people get to points on the island faster.
The City Island Carousel is expected to be fully operational for National Night Out. In the lawn area near the Carousel, the Harrisburg Police K9 division will have demonstrations with their police dogs.
As you continue to move along the west end of City Island, more than 30 community vendors will be stationed in the parking lot behind the right field/1st base line of FNB Field. Meanwhile, there will be picnic tables and food service from Bricker’s Famous French Fires, Schander’s, and Farm Show Milkshakes. Also, returning from last year’s National Night Out is Blue Bear BBQ, a food truck operated by Harrisburg Police Officer Wesley Feduke. Harrisburg Police Officers will be on grill duty, serving up barbeque favorites.
City Island Water Golf is donating 500 ice cream sandwiches and water. The mini golf course itself will be closed during National Night Out. However, pop-up mini golf holes will be available for families to play. The north end of City Island, next to the playground, will also feature the Harrisburg Police Cadet dunk tank, plus other games and face painting.
The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat will offer free 30-minute rides for families. Anyone under 18 years old must have a parent or guardian with them in order to ride.
“The opportunity to ride the Riverboat is something a lot of city kids don’t get that experience,” Huston said. “National Night Out is a great way to expose the youth and our community to things they may not necessarily have thought about.”
There will be live music, courtesy the John Christopher Wave Quartet, located at the river overlook deck on the east end of City Island. Kids can hop in a Harrisburg firetruck in the same area, along Championship Way outside the 3rd baseline of FNB Field.
Lastly, the team from Dialed Action Sports will be providing a BMX bike trick show throughout the evening, stationed at the former batting cages location.
