National Night Out on the Island
Avalon volunteer firefighter Joe Ferguson with Alisa Fedorenko.
Music and laughter filled the air in Avalon and Stone Harbor on Aug. 1 as the boroughs hosted and joined the rest of the country in celebrating National Night Out with festivities and people of all ages to enjoy. Held annually since 1984, National Night Out was created as a way to strengthen neighborhood relations as well as police partnerships in an effort to fight and prevent crime.
Avalon’s festivities were held at the 30th Street parking lot by the beach. You could see and hear the spectacle from blocks away, and hundreds came by to join in on the fun. There was a teacup ride and two huge inflatable slides for the youngsters to enjoy. The band Loud N’ Klear had the festive audience tapping its feet and Sundae Best provided free ice cream to keep everyone cool during the warm evening. Minions and Pokemon characters stopped by to hang out with the kids and pose for photos, and a talented face painter decorated children as their favorite characters for the night.
The event was not only fun and games, but it was educational, too. Police officers were there to demonstrate how to use their equipment, and kids were able to check out the inside of their vehicles. Sirens blared and kids did their best to lift the heavy police shields. Members of the volunteer fire department gave tours of a firetruck and demonstrated how to use the powerful water hose. Visitors got inside information about Avalon’s public services and had a chance to meet the people who work to keep the island safe.
Families in Stone Harbor flocked to the 95th Street Water Tower to celebrate National Night Out. The event, hosted by the Stone Harbor Police Department, featured a number of vehicles, demonstrations, food and fun. Members of the police department played cornhole with families and demonstrated their equipment. Kids had an opportunity to pose inside the police boat and try on some safety equipment such as a bulletproof vest. There was a bounce house for kids to play in, face painting, and characters for everyone to meet. Everyone enjoyed the hot dogs and other refreshments.
All in all, it was a fun, festive and informative night for residents and visitors to mingle with the public-safety agencies and with each other.
