For the first time in more than 30 years of coordinating National Night Out (NNO) for its residents, the City of Sanford will visit participating neighborhoods on a Saturday.
Sanford held its first NNO in 1993 after late Councilman Walter McNeil, Jr. learned about the program. Until the pandemic, the citywide celebration was held on the first Tuesday of August each year. In 2022, in an effort to beat the heat and make outdoor parties easier on residents, the City began observing NNO on the first Tuesday in October.
After speaking with coordinators and listening to their concerns – mainly the early sunset in October – the City of Sanford’s police and fire departments have decided to give Saturday afternoon neighborhood events a try, says City public information officer Kelly Miller.
To participate, neighborhood coordinators can hold a block party, a community watch meeting, a meet-and-greet, or any other activity that brings the neighborhood together on Saturday, September 28. The Sanford police and fire departments, elected officials, and municipal staff will visit each registered neighborhood.
Though the neighborhood celebrations are moving to Saturday, the City still wants to observe a traditional Tuesday celebration. Therefore, an evening of activities is planned for the Sanford Municipal Center on Tuesday, October 1. The night will feature free food, games, demonstrations, and more.
Not only is celebrating on Saturday brand new for Sanford, but so is hosting a central event on National Night Out, Miller notes. “Other communities across the nation have had great success with this type of structure, so we think these changes will be great for Sanford, too.”
Ultimately, the goal of NNO is to get to know your neighbors and your first responders, Miller says. The City hopes these changes will make it a little easier for Sanford residents to participate – both in their neighborhoods and with their community.
Registration is now open on the City’s website. Neighborhoods that register to participate will receive NNO merchandise from the City, including t-shirts, hats, stickers, and balloons. Registration will close on September 13, 2024.
The Sanford Fire Department will continue using National Night Out as an opportunity to share fire prevention tips and to educate residents about the department’s free smoke detector program.
City residents who need a smoke detector should contact the department at 919-777-1301 immediately to schedule an installation.
For more information about National Night Out, contact Miller at 919-718-4658 x0 or via email.