What began in 1984 as a simple act of turning on porch lights and stepping outside has grown into a nationwide celebration of community and connection.
This year, the Snoqualmie Police Department will once again bring National Night Out to the Snoqualmie Valley, hosting a family-friendly event at Snoqualmie Community Park on Tuesday, August 5, from 5 to 7 p.m.
National Night Out was created by Matt Peskin, a Philadelphia-area resident who spent years volunteering with a local community watch program. In 1981, he founded the National Association of Town Watch to connect similar groups nationwide. Three years later, the first National Night Out campaign drew 2.5 million participants in 400 communities across 23 states.
Since then, the event has evolved into a summer tradition, with neighborhoods nationwide gathering on the first Tuesday in August for block parties, cookouts, parades, and public safety demonstrations.
In Snoqualmie, the celebration will feature opportunities to connect with officers from the Snoqualmie Police Department, representatives from the Snoqualmie Fire Department, the FBI, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Visitors of all ages can enjoy activities like free face painting by Tangerine Tales, a mural coloring station, and “Chalk the Block,” a sidewalk art activity sponsored by the Snoqualmie Arts Commission.
To top it off, local favorite Snoqualmie Ice Cream will be serving complimentary ice cream and hot dogs—a gesture that’s become a hallmark of the city’s celebration.
Residents of both Snoqualmie and North Bend are encouraged to attend the event at Snoqualmie Community Park Amphitheater, located at 35016 SE Ridge Street.
Organizers hope the evening will strengthen community ties and reinforce the positive connections between neighbors and local law enforcement.
