Second Annual National Night Out

Brooke Strausbaugh, Producer

At 4pm on October 4th, Fireman’s Park began to fill with food trucks, law enforcement, a DJ, and numerous local businesses. From 4:00pm until 8:00pm Alden community members came together for the second annual National Night Out. This event was sponsored by the Alden Substance Abuse Coalition, and is one of many events that they host in our community. There was an array of demonstrations, tents, and displays filling the park. From our local law enforcement there was an accident roll over simulator. Local businesses and organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, Parkside Cupcakes, The Pink Cow, Kiwanis Club, Alden Christian Theatre Society, Saint John’s Youth Group, and Andrew’s Army, amongst others, set up tents lining the park. They had free samples, handouts and presentations for community members to enjoy. Kids could get their faces painted and grab a cupcake at the Parkside Cupcakes tent and there was another face painting station set up at the Alden Chamber of Commerce tent. The National Guard had a display along with The Alden State Bank. Attendees could grab a bite to eat at the 716 Club House or Center Street Smokehouse food trucks. Music from DJ Sensational Sounds and Karaoke kept the party going all night. WACS News spoke with the coalition’s coordinator Colleen Babcock and she though the event was a big success. As in the previous year there was a great turnout and the Alden Community really supported the coalition. The Alden Substance Abuse Coalition is looking forward to their next event the Halloween Spooktacular on October 21st and 22nd and they can’t wait to start planning next year’s National Night Out. Thank you to those members of the community who came out to make the event such a success, and thank you to the Substance Abuse Coalition for putting together so many fun events for the community. For the full story or to see interviews from the event checkout the second episode of WACS News where one of our producers Paige Rzepka got a closer look during the event.