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Merrimack hosts National Night Out

Merrimack Community Girl Scouts offering information on various troop activities at National Night Out include representatives, from left, Meredith Campbell, volunteer support coordinator, Pat Murphy, veteran volunteer, and Amy Campell, ambassador for Girl Scout Troop 13912. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON
Representatives of Merrimack Fire and Rescue joining in the camaraderie exhibited at National Night Out in Merrimack, while event visitors enjoy a look at the extended ladder of a red fire truck, include these personnel, from left, Torey O'Brien, Richard Gagne and Thomas Kelly, along with Matthew Loranger, Greg Mann and Christopher Fyffe. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON
The Johnson Family, residents of Merrimack, pause for a chat at the local National Night Out festivities with guest vendor Nicole Brown, a Nashua representative of Bridges: Domestic & Sexual Support Group. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON
Merrimack Police Detective Clark Preston splashes down into a dunk tank at National Night Out festivities as Police Officer Mandy Clark beckons youngsters whose aim is to dunk him, again. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON
Nearly 50 community organizations showcased at National Night Out in Merrimack offered informational literature including membership details from representatives of the Merrimack Senior Citizens Club, a social group of fun-loving oldsters hosting meetings on most Mondays at the nearby John O'Leary Adult Community Center. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON
A fine contingent of Merrimack Police Department members on hand to meet and greet the community at the town's recent National Night Out include these law enforcement professionals, from left, Officer Jared Smith, Detective Haley Ash, Officer Collin Leblanc and Officer Rich Rodrigues, along with Lt. Chris Spillane, Capt. Eric Marquis, Sgt. Mike Lambert and Detective Bill Vandersyde. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON
Andrew Hudon of Merrimack accepts a frosty scoop of ice cream from Bob Colletti, a Merrimack Police Department volunteer, during festivities at the local National Night Out celebration, one presented Aug. 5 in the parking lot of Merrimack High School. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

MERRIMACK – Towns throughout the country presented on Aug. 5 the most recent iteration of National Night Out, an annual event operational on the first Tuesday of August since 1984 and one designed to strengthen amiable partnerships between law enforcement and the citizens of a community.

Festivities in Merrimack were convened at the Merrimack High School parking lot on McElwain Street. Hundreds in the course of an evening enjoyed live music, kids’ games, scoops of ice cream and the guided exploration of police vehicles, an ambulance and a massive fire truck.

A water-filled dunk tank overflowed with the hilarity of sudden submersion by a police officer volunteer — a fate triggered with a successful pitch at a round metal target.

A comprehensive list of participating organizations on site that evening, made available from Merrimack Parks and Recreation, noted the presence of 47 local businesses and community groups whose representatives provided a memorable event to neighbors and visitors of all ages. An unusual party rental, a mobile golf simulator from a regional Dryvebox Mobile Golf Simulator franchise, drew young athletes and their elders to try for a virtual hole in one. A swim school, martial arts school, the Chop Shop 166 robotics club from Merrimack High School and reps from the Merrimack Public Library, Merrimack Historical Society, Merrimack Girl Scouts and dozens more were well patronized.

More information on National Night Out can be found online at natw.org.