By Riley Fontana
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Walpole Recreation hosted its National Night Out on August 1, 2023, in collaboration with the Walpole Public Safety Departments. National Night Out is a nationwide, family-friendly event designed to foster community connections between local police forces and the towns they serve. Walpole held its National Night Out at Stone Field, located behind Blackburn Hall, and offered enjoyable activities suitable for all ages.
The Walpole Fire Department actively participated in the event with fire trucks, fire hose demonstrations, and photo opportunities. They assisted many attending children in learning how to control the fire hose and extinguish wood fires in a demonstration house. Moreover, kids had the chance to get an up-close and personal experience with the fire truck, sitting in the driver's seat for pictures. Similarly, the Walpole Police Department brought a police cruiser for photo sessions and close encounters.
The Kidz Zone inflatables provided six different play sets for children to delight in. Each inflatable offered a unique form of entertainment, ranging from obstacle courses to simple jumping activities. Additionally, face painting and glitter tattoos were available for all attendees.
Throughout the evening, Sapphire Crush performed their inaugural live concert. The band showcased a repertoire of classic rock and a touch of country music, captivating the crowd with their excellent performance. The concert concluded around 8 p.m.
Adjacent to Stone Field, five food trucks were parked, offering a diverse array of food options for the event goers. These options included snow cones, pizza, and loaded hot dogs, catering to the appetite of every hungry attendee.
The night culminated with a showing of "The LEGO Movie." The screening began at sundown, and everyone gathered on the grass to enjoy the movie. As the night progressed, the weather cooled off, creating the perfect ambiance.
The event was a source of enjoyment for people of all ages, especially younger children. Families in the area had a fantastic evening, and it provided an excellent opportunity to connect with the safety patrols in the town. The National Night Out is an annual event held every August 1, and many are already eagerly looking forward to next year's edition.
