The town of Boulder Creek knows how to keep their populace and surrounding areas engaged with events. Whether it’s the 4th of July Parade down Central Avenue, trick-or-treating with local businesses or lighting the Christmas tree in the middle of town, the feel-good celebrations put the town on the map each year.
On Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 4-7pm, the town will participate in the annual National Night Out (NNO) event.
“National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live,” according to the NNO website. “National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.”
As in previous years, the family-friendly event will be held behind the Boulder Creek Fire Department. Event supporters and partners include Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office (co-host) and its SWAT and Drone team, Boulder Creek Fire Department (co-host), California Highway Patrol and representatives from Fish and Wildlife, State Parks, NetCom and the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office.
Karen Edwards, president of the Boulder Creek Business Association (BCBA), is excited for what’s on tap in 2024.
“We’ll have some fun games, face painting, balloon animals, Messy Play Kits, the El Rey Leon truck serving food and more. The BCBA is also doing a drawing for some fun prizes; the grand prize is a scooter donated by the BCBA. Other prizes include a pizza from Boulder Creek Pizza and a sensory kit from Messy Play Kits,” Edwards said.
Children in attendance will be given a town passport that they will use to obtain stickers from participating agencies. Once the passport is full, kids will turn in their passport for a raffle ticket and a chance to win one of the prizes.
“In Boulder Creek, all first responders are crucial to mountain towns and, therefore, all who can attend will be there to meet with the community, the Boulder Creek Business Association has long since been a co-host of the event and we are thrilled to be a part of something that helps the community, especially the young children, get to know the people behind the badges and uniforms,” Edwards said. “Kids who might have to see firefighters arrive at their homes on the worst day imaginable will already be scared and might become more so if they see faceless firefighters loaded in gear and wearing suits from head to toe or police officers having to use some of the many gadgets and weapons on their utility belts. This event gives these children the opportunity to see that there’s a super friendly person behind all that gear whose goal is to keep that child safe and that might help lessen the stress of an awful event.”
Sheriff’s Deputy Caitlin McBride agreed, saying, “National Night Out is an opportunity for our local law enforcement partners to build positive relationships with the community.”
For more information on this event, visit bcba.net/events-1/national-night-out-2024.
