The public is invited to Gastonia’s National Night Out party, probably the largest in the county, 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug.7 at Eastridge Mall, 246 N. New Hope Road. The public safety celebration, held in the mall parking lot at Curt’s Premium Outlet (formerly J.C. Penney), will feature free food, door prizes, music from a live DJ, and public safety displays and demonstrations.
The Gastonia Police Department invites community watch groups and the public to attend and get to know people from police and fire services. Eastridge Mall is sponsoring the event which will include displays from the SWAT Team, Bomb Squad, Motorcycle Unit, Mobile Command Unit, and live demonstrations from the K-9 Unit and the Gastonia Fire Department. A bounce house and face painting will be available for the kids, sponsored by A Perfect Birthday. There will be free food (hot dogs and drinks while supplies last), a five-pound burrito and a chicken wings eating contests, and many vendors/booths.
“Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy all the fun and helpful information about public safety,” said Gastonia Police Officer David Lingafelt. “The event is an opportunity to meet your neighbors and get ideas from the police and community watch groups about keeping our neighborhoods safe.”
For more information you may call (704) 854-6665, or for online information about National Night Out please visit the National Association of Town Watch website at www.natw.org. If case of inclement weather, please check the Gastonia Police Department’s Facebook page.
