(Aug. 3, 2017) Free hamburgers and hotdogs, playgrounds and inflatable bounce houses, were only a part of the annual National Night Out celebration Tuesday night at Dr. William Henry Park in Berlin.
Also greeting scores of Berlin residents, friends and family members were at least a dozen different arts and crafts projects, live music and plenty of sunshine.
Similar scenes were taking place across the country that night during a nationwide event designed to raise awareness for police and to foster a sense of community.
In New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio called New York City “the safest big city in America,” citing improved security in schools and crediting the NYPD, according to his official Twitter account.
Police in seven districts of Washington, D.C. held events, “hoping to build bridges with the people they protect and serve” in the wake of a rash of almost a dozen shootings in two days, according to a report from NBC.
Locally, celebrations also occurred in Ocean City, Snow Hill and Pocomoke.
In Berlin, volunteers from SonRise Church cooked food for community members, Worcester Youth and Family workers made crafts with local children, volunteers from Atlantic General Hospital, Chesapeake Care and the Worcester County Health Department distributed pamphlets, and town, county and Maryland State Police troopers shook hands with the hundreds of attendees.
All told, dozens of community partners pitched in to host different free activities, information tables and giveaways, also including the Berlin Fire Company, Berlin Arts and Entertainment Committee and Berlin Parks Commission.
“National Night Out has been a long tradition in our town and I’m really pleased to see such a diverse group of folks from all over Berlin,” Mayor Gee Williams said. “People, as you can see, are having a good time, having good food and what’s really neat is how many of these folks have been friends for years. It’s really a classic example of how Berlin is transforming into an extended family.”
Berlin Parks Commission Chairman Mike Wiley said it was a relief to have sunny skies during the event. Several Movies in the Park screenings were recently canceled because of rain.
“I’m just glad to see a good, diverse group over here at Henry Park to let people know what we have here,” Wiley said. “The rain gods have not been friendly to us, but it’ll happen eventually … in December!”
Berlin Councilman Dean Burrell, who rode his bike to the park, said he enjoyed the togetherness of National Night Out.
“People from the entirety of Berlin are here in fellowship, eating and having a good time. It’s a good thing,” he said.
Burrell, who has attended every National Night Out in Berlin since its inception more than a decade ago, said this one was particularly well attended.
“I’m not a good one for numbers and measurement, but I think it’s a great turnout,” he said.
Community member Jack Orris agreed.
“I think it’s a great turnout,” he said. “National Night Out is a great event and it brings everybody in the community together. I enjoy coming here every year and checking out the crafts and the food, and we have the fire company and state police and Berlin police. It’s just a great community event.”
Berlin Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Larnet St. Amant called National Night Out “a wonderful event.
“There’s a great community sense of togetherness, music and food – and the kids are all smiling,” she said.
Delegate Mary Beth Carozza could be seen shaking hands and sharing stories with police officers.
“This is a tremendous show of support for the entire community,” Carozza said. “The churches have come together, law enforcement has come together, and our local businesses are out here. Everybody is enjoying themselves and it’s just what we’re all about here in Berlin, and on the shore.
Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing helped to organize the event and appeared to be proud of the turnout and the overall show of support.
“We love it. The partnerships are awesome,” he said. “We’ve already got three new agencies that want to be a part of it next year – the lifeguards from Ocean City want to set up a booth and do a lifeguard stand. We’re always pleased when everybody comes together.”
The next National Night Out will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018.
Also greeting scores of Berlin residents, friends and family members were at least a dozen different arts and crafts projects, live music and plenty of sunshine.
Similar scenes were taking place across the country that night during a nationwide event designed to raise awareness for police and to foster a sense of community.
In New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio called New York City “the safest big city in America,” citing improved security in schools and crediting the NYPD, according to his official Twitter account.
Police in seven districts of Washington, D.C. held events, “hoping to build bridges with the people they protect and serve” in the wake of a rash of almost a dozen shootings in two days, according to a report from NBC.
Locally, celebrations also occurred in Ocean City, Snow Hill and Pocomoke.
In Berlin, volunteers from SonRise Church cooked food for community members, Worcester Youth and Family workers made crafts with local children, volunteers from Atlantic General Hospital, Chesapeake Care and the Worcester County Health Department distributed pamphlets, and town, county and Maryland State Police troopers shook hands with the hundreds of attendees.
All told, dozens of community partners pitched in to host different free activities, information tables and giveaways, also including the Berlin Fire Company, Berlin Arts and Entertainment Committee and Berlin Parks Commission.
“National Night Out has been a long tradition in our town and I’m really pleased to see such a diverse group of folks from all over Berlin,” Mayor Gee Williams said. “People, as you can see, are having a good time, having good food and what’s really neat is how many of these folks have been friends for years. It’s really a classic example of how Berlin is transforming into an extended family.”
Berlin Parks Commission Chairman Mike Wiley said it was a relief to have sunny skies during the event. Several Movies in the Park screenings were recently canceled because of rain.
“I’m just glad to see a good, diverse group over here at Henry Park to let people know what we have here,” Wiley said. “The rain gods have not been friendly to us, but it’ll happen eventually … in December!”
Berlin Councilman Dean Burrell, who rode his bike to the park, said he enjoyed the togetherness of National Night Out.
“People from the entirety of Berlin are here in fellowship, eating and having a good time. It’s a good thing,” he said.
Burrell, who has attended every National Night Out in Berlin since its inception more than a decade ago, said this one was particularly well attended.
“I’m not a good one for numbers and measurement, but I think it’s a great turnout,” he said.
Community member Jack Orris agreed.
“I think it’s a great turnout,” he said. “National Night Out is a great event and it brings everybody in the community together. I enjoy coming here every year and checking out the crafts and the food, and we have the fire company and state police and Berlin police. It’s just a great community event.”
Berlin Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Larnet St. Amant called National Night Out “a wonderful event.
“There’s a great community sense of togetherness, music and food – and the kids are all smiling,” she said.
Delegate Mary Beth Carozza could be seen shaking hands and sharing stories with police officers.
“This is a tremendous show of support for the entire community,” Carozza said. “The churches have come together, law enforcement has come together, and our local businesses are out here. Everybody is enjoying themselves and it’s just what we’re all about here in Berlin, and on the shore.
Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing helped to organize the event and appeared to be proud of the turnout and the overall show of support.
“We love it. The partnerships are awesome,” he said. “We’ve already got three new agencies that want to be a part of it next year – the lifeguards from Ocean City want to set up a booth and do a lifeguard stand. We’re always pleased when everybody comes together.”
The next National Night Out will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018.