National Night Out 2023: These Columbus area neighborhoods are hosting community events

Taijuan Moorman, Columbus Dispatch
Updated ·4 min read
Police cadets play cornhole with a group of kids during a Summer Block Party hosted by the Columbus Division of Police and The Starfish Assignment at the Linden Community Center on Friday, July 9, 2021. The event was the first of a series behing held on Fridays in July at locations throughout the city.
Police cadets play cornhole with a group of kids during a Summer Block Party hosted by the Columbus Division of Police and The Starfish Assignment at the Linden Community Center on Friday, July 9, 2021. The event was the first of a series behing held on Fridays in July at locations throughout the city.

National Night Out is today, Aug. 1, and several free events are taking place to connect police officers, firefighters and other public safety officials with the community and to boost neighborhood camaraderie.

The annual community-building campaign started in 1984 and takes place on the first Tuesday of August across the country, with various Columbus area neighborhoods taking part.

Is your neighborhood hosting a National Night Out celebration? Read on to find out.

Clinton Estates

Join Clinton Estates' National Night Out event at Trinity United Church of Christ, 1180 Shanley Drive, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Activities include a BBQ cookout where attendees are asked to bring side dishes and desserts, face painting, and an appearance from COSI.

Downtown

A National Night Out event will also take place Downtown, at Kaufman Plaza behind the Columbus Metropolitan Main Library, 96 S. Grant Ave., from 4 to 7 p.m. Enjoy a mixer with food trucks, beverages, live music and appearances from representatives from the Columbus Division of Police.

Franklinton

Franklinton will also have its own National Night Out celebration, at Avondale Elementary School, 141 Hawkes Ave., from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The night will include food, raffle prizes, community resources, kid's activities, a backpack giveaway and appearances from Mayor Andrew Ginther and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant.

Franklin Township

Franklin Township hosts National Night Out from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, 1955 Frank Road. The night will include games, prizes, activities and the opportunity to meet representatives from local police, fire and first responders.

Genoa Township

Genoa Township has its own celebration, taking place at McNamara Park, 7049 Big Walnut Road in Galena, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for National Night Out. The event will feature food, music, games, a bounce house, a "touch-a-truck" experience, an officer meet and greet and a water balloon fight between cops and kids.

Grandview Heights

Join the City of Grandview Heights at Wyman Woods Park, 1515 Goodale Blvd., for National Night Out from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Enjoy a bike rodeo, donut eating contests and "touch-a-truck" experience, and representatives from SWAT, K-9 units and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office will also be in attendance.

Near East Side

In the Near East Side, head to Central Community House, 1251 Bryden Road, for National Night Out from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Activities will include a bounce house, games, ice cream, snacks and drinks, a DJ, appearances from the Columbus Division of Police, Columbus Division of Fire truck and safety house, and the Franklin County Dog Shelter, a raffle of home safety equipment and bicycle locks and more.

Rickenbacker Woods

From 6 to 8 p.m., Rickenbacker Woods hosts National Night Out at Rickenbacker Woods Foundation & Learning Center, 1330 E. Livingston Ave. The event will feature a barbecue, kids activities, community resources, vendors and a community mural painted during the event.

Shannon Heights

Shannon Heights Civic Association hosts its National Night Out celebration from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Shannon Heights KinderCare, 5757 Shannon Heights Blvd. in Dublin. Enjoy food from Dirty Franks Hot Dog Palace, balloon art, music, ice cream, a raffle and more. The event will also collect food items for the Hilliard Food Pantry, which was heavily damaged in a multi-alarm fire last month.

South Central Hilltop

For an earlier celebration, South Central Hilltop will be at John Burroughs Park, 625 S. Richardson Ave., for National Night (Day) Out, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Events include activities and demonstrations led by police, firefighters, COSI and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Food includes pizza from Donatos and desserts from Kona Ice Truck. Activities include a kids' zone, bounce house, raffle drawing, a dance performance, resources and more.

Upper Arlington

Upper Arlington hosts National Night Out with the Upper Arlington Police Department, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Agatha School, 1880 Northam Road. The event will feature Graeter's Ice Cream, an Icee truck, Papa John's, inflatables, giveaways and activities.

Westerville

Westerville Division of Police will be at Huber Village Park, 362 Huber Village Blvd., for National Night Out, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Activities include games, snow cones, a cruiser display and more.

Whitehall

The Whitehall Police Department and Whitehall Division of Fire are hosting National Night Out from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at John Bishop Memorial Park, 4790-4950 Etna Road. Festivities include K-9 demonstrations, a bike rodeo, a combat challenge, a climbing wall, games and live music.

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tmoorman@dispatch.com

@taijuannichole

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: National Night Out 2023: The Columbus neighborhoods celebrating Aug. 1