Family Fun and First Responders: Third Annual Clinton County Night Out Returns Saturday, August 17, 2024

By Emily Wright

LOCK HAVEN— The spirit of community and camaraderie will be on full display at the Third Annual Clinton County Night Out this Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Clinton County Piper Building and its surrounding complex, located at 2 Piper Way in Lock Haven, will transform into a lively hub of fun, learning, and community bonding for the event.

Spearheaded by Clinton County Sheriff Kerry Stover and Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse, Clinton County Night Out is a free event that aims to engage families, especially children, in fun activities that foster a sense of camaraderie between the community and law enforcement, emergency responders, and other important agencies in an effort to make our community a safer and more cohesive place to live.

Clinton County Night Out will feature free activities, food, and refreshments for attendees. Law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical responders, military service personnel, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and the PA Fish and Boat Commission will be on deck with a display of various apparatuses and vehicles.

Attendees can expect a variety of engaging and informative activities. Highlights include a “Save a Teddy Bear Clinic”, an inflatable water slide, tours of police cars, fire trucks and ambulances, and an opportunity for kids to participate in fire extinguisher training or even wield a fire hose to put out a controlled fire. Ask a volunteer for details to participate in a scavenger hunt throughout the evening, and new to the event this year will be balloon animal creations for kids in addition to Magician Phil Miller.

The Night Out will also feature captivating demonstrations, including a police K9 demonstration at 5:00 p.m., a simulated vehicle extrication demonstration at 6:00 p.m., and much more. If it’s not responding to an emergency call, Geisinger Medical Center’s Life Flight helicopter may even make an appearance at the event.

When asked how the annual Clinton County Night Out event came about, D.A. Strouse mentioned that “Night Out” is a national program that fosters positive relationships between community members and law enforcement. “Sheriff Stover approached me back around 2020 about hosting a Clinton County version of Night Out,” he said. D.A. Strouse noted that although the National Night Out event takes place on the first Tuesday of August every year, he and Sheriff Stover established their version of Night Out to be held on a Saturday to ensure that more families, law enforcement, and emergency responders have the opportunity to attend.

Clinton County’s version of the national Night Out event also includes a broader range of participants, “Our version is open to more than just law enforcement, as we invite all First Responders, Fish and Boat, DCNR, Game Commission, Constables, and all local fire departments,” D.A. Strouse added.

Thanks to various local businesses and civic groups who have provided their generosity and support, there will be free food and beverages for attendees while supplies last.

The Central Pennsylvania Auto Auction, The Old Corner Grill and Bottle Shop, and Schlesinger Communications stand out as this year’s Gold Sponsors for the Night Out event in addition to Platinum Sponsor McQuaide Blasko Attorneys at Law. Sheriff Stover and D.A. Strouse emphasize their appreciation for everyone that contributed in any way to make the 2024 Clinton County Night Out possible.

Families in Clinton County are encouraged to come out to the Piper Building complex this Saturday, connect with local heroes, and enjoy an evening dedicated to neighborhood camaraderie.