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By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE | Special to the Reporter

PELHAM – The Pelham Police and Fire Departments will hold their annual National Night Out on Tuesday, Oct. 1 from 6-8 p.m. at Pelham City Park.

The event, which began in the city in 2017, was originally held in the Publix parking lot on Huntley Parkway, but moved to the park in 2021 for a more central location.

Gina Womack, communications specialist for the city of Pelham and an organizer of the event, said National Night Out is a nationwide initiative to allow community members to meet their police officers in a casual and fun environment.

“While it is primarily a law enforcement event, our firefighters are a big part of it,” Womack said. “We want to educate our residents on all the services our public safety agencies provide. The purpose of National Night Out is to build relationships, and it’s a great way for people to meet their neighbors and first responders in a casual and fun environment.”

While many communities host the event in early August, the parent organization allows cities in southern states to hold the event in October when the weather is cooler. Pelham’s National Night Out is one of the area’s largest and most well-attended National Night Out events, with an estimated crowd of 1,000 to 1,300 people each year, Womack said.

Both departments look forward to the event each year.

“National Night Out is a highlight of the year for the Pelham Police Department,” Pelham Chief of Police Brent Sugg said. “Officers will engage with community members in a relaxed, festive environment. We would encourage everyone to join us for food, fun and fellowship with local law enforcement.”

Chief Mike Reid of Pelham Fire Department said, “We look forward to this event every year as a way to engage and meet our citizens in a fun environment, displaying our advanced life-saving equipment and supporting our police department.”

Womack said the event will partner with at least 40 Pelham and Shelby County non-profit organizations to showcase resources available to the community that will include veterans’ groups, health and wellness organizations, family resources and more.

“We’ll even have some city of Pelham departments represented, such as the Pelham Public Library, Pelham Racquet Club, Parks & Recreation, Ballantrae Golf Club, Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena and more,” Womack said.

Two local churches, Church of the Highlands Riverchase Campus and First Baptist Church Pelham, will provide guests with a free hot dog dinner while supplies last.

“There will be children’s activities, and they will have a chance to climb into police and fire vehicles,” Womack said.

The Pelham PD will have a Tahoe, Durango and Charger along with its K-9, tactical and crime scene unit. The Pelham Fire Department will have its FD-Quint 92, HazMat 1 and possibly an EMS Transport unit, according to Womack.

The Fire Department will also have CPR manikins, so people of all ages can learn and practice the skills of CPR.

Music will be provided by 93.3 The River and 98.3 La Jefa. The entire event, including food and drinks, is free.