National Night Out celebrations headed to SLV communities

On Tuesday, Aug. 5, the public safety agencies and business associations of Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, and Felton will play host to a trio of community celebrations for National Night Out.
National Night Out is a non-profit nationwide organization that helps communities come together to promote the various crime-prevention groups and community organizations that help keep their towns safe by giving residents a chance to meet with law enforcement and fire safety personnel in a casual setting.
The Boulder Creek Business Association will be hosting their National Night Out event in the parking lot behind the IOOF building, located at 13119 Highway 9 in Boulder Creek.
“It’s basically a big block party,” said Justin Acton, president of the Boulder Creek Business Association. “It’s a night for everyone to get one of the house and make connections with their neighbors.”
Acton said that the free event will have family-friendly demonstrations given by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and Boulder Creek Fire Department, along with a barbecue, bounce house and other children’s activities.
In Ben Lomond, the National Night Out festivities will be held at Ben Lomond Park on Mill Street, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and ending around 8 p.m..
The activities are set to include: Safety demonstrations by the Ben Lomond Fire Protection District and the sheriff’s office, children’s identification, and an ecology organization to educated children and families.
“We need to support the fire department and police department, and it’s nice to have one night to see what they really do, and to thank them,” said Zeda Dowell, president of the Ben Lomond Business Association.
Along with these organizations, there will be live music, food, and information about ongoing community events.
In Felton, the Felton Business Association and the sheriff’s office will also be hosting a National Night Out at the Cal Fire station, located at 6059 Highway 9 in Felton. The event will take place between 5 and 7:30 p.m..
Along with demonstrations by Cal Fire and and deputies from the sheriff’s office, there will also be opportunities for the community to meet with officers of the California Highway Patrol.
There will be hamburgers, hot dogs, and snow cones for friends and families to enjoy.
“It’s a wonderful event to bring people out in the evening,” says Valoree Mills, a member of the Felton Business Association.
For more information about National Night Out, visit http://natw.org/
If you go:
Boulder Creek
When: 5:30 p.m. till 7:30 p.m.
Where: Parking lot behind IOOF building, at 13119 Highway 9 in Boulder Creek.
 
Ben Lomond
When: 6:30 p.m. till 8 p.m.
Where: Ben Lomond Park, 9525 Mill St in Ben Lomond
 
Felton
When: 5 p.m. till 7:30 p.m.
Where: Cal Fire station, 6059 Highway 9 in Felton