EAST LONGMEADOW – It’s become a rite of summer in communities across the nation. On Aug. 6, America celebrates the 36th annual National Night Out.

What began back in 1984 with neighbors turning on their porch lights and sitting out in their front yards on the first Tuesday in August to take a stance against crime has grown into annual gatherings with a single purpose: to foster positive relationships between neighborhoods and law enforcement. Organized and sponsored by the National Association of Town Watches, National Night Out events are now celebrated in all 50 states, in U. S. territories and on all U. S. military bases across the globe.

Sponsored by the Police Department and organized by the town’s National Night Out Committee, the 2019 East Longmeadow National Night Out will take place Aug. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. on the grounds of the East Longmeadow High School, located on Maple Street. An opening ceremony including music and a salute to the flag is slated for 5:30 p.m.

Don Maki, ELCAT director and coordinator for the East Longmeadow National Night Out, said this was the 10th year the town has hosted the gathering.

“We have really expanded the focus from it being primarily a public safety event to a community event that highlights service organizations, church groups and civic organizations, really all of those community support functions.”

As in past years, Maki said the Fire Department would be providing hot dogs, the Rotary would have popcorn, a number of vendors would have water and there would also be a couple of local restaurants in attendance. “Everything is free,” Maki said. Local churches host games for the kids, there’s usually a dunk tank and Maki said in the past the Lion’s Club has hosted a speed pitch game.

East Longmeadow Police Chief Jeff Dalessio said the State Police Helicopter would be making an appearance at this year’s event “weather permitting, and their caseload allowing” and that a K-9 demonstration by the State Police, Wilbraham K-9 unit or the Sheriff’s Department is also part of the plan for the evening.

Fire Chief Paul Morrissette said his department traditionally puts on an auto extraction demonstration, and has several piece of their equipment on display during National Night Out.

“We will have at least three of our trucks there and our ambulance [and] kids can climb up into them,” Morrissette said.

“Hopefully the weather will be good,” Dalessio said, noting that the heat and a pop-up thunderstorm cut the 2018 Night Out festivities short. “We’re looking forward to seeing everybody there.”

Non-profit groups still interested in participating this year’s East Longmeadow National Night Out should email Don Maki at don.maki@eastlongmeadowma.go for more information.