National Night Out events took place across the country on Aug. 4, and residents of the 2nd, 7th, 8th and 15th police districts joined in the local celebrations.
The events featured bookbag giveaways, music, food, refreshments, vendors, information tables, inflatables, games, arts and crafts, door prizes, face painting and appearances by elected officials, police personnel, the Fire Department, Police District Advisory Council members and mascots.
The first local National Night Out kicked off in the afternoon at Roosevelt Playground in Tacony.
City Councilman Mike Driscoll and Tacony Town Watch – the oldest Town Watch in the city – teamed up for the event, which was highlighted by pony rides and an American flag raising.
State Rep. Jared Solomon supplied a new flag to replace the tattered one on the flag pole. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, American Legion William D. Oxley Post 133 officials Bob Brookes, Kay Brookes and Bob Cummings lowered the tattered flag for disposal and raised the new one. The Rev. Patrick Welsh, pastor at St. Matthew, offered a prayer.
Mayor Cherelle Parker was in attendance, along with city and state elected officials. Driscoll wished a happy birthday to elections commissioner Lisa Deeley, congratulated Tacony Town Watch’s Joe and Ronni Nicoletti on their recent wedding and presented a citation to DJ Robert Heim-Moody.
The Nicolettis presented certificates of appreciation to, among others, Roosevelt rec leader Joe Fricker and Michele Fleming, a Driscoll aide who helped organize the event.
Many who attended the Roosevelt Playground event, including Parker, made the short trip to 15th district festivities in the parking lot of the ShopRite at 5597 Tulip St. The mayor also traveled to the 8th district for its celebration.
Meanwhile, Gov. Josh Shapiro attended the 2nd and 7th district celebration in the Fox Chase Elementary School yard. A bicycle ride kicked off the festivities, with all kids taking part in the ride entered in a drawing for a new bike. Timmy Kelly followed with a rendition of God Bless America.
Shapiro was joined by Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, Acting State Police Commissioner George Bivens and state Rep. Sean Dougherty, the organizer of the event at Fox Chase Elementary. Mark Mroz, community relations officer in the 2nd, served as DJ. Quig’s handed out free pizza. ••
