Neighbors plan for National Night Out

by DENNIS GEISINGER
published July 14 2008

National Night Out will take place on local blocks during the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 5.

Street closings for events will be free for those who apply by July 22. From July 22 to 31 there is a $100 late fee, and no street-closing applications will be accepted after that time. Organizers remind participants that NNO events can also be held in private yards, parking lots, garages, parks, buildings, etc. To register for a block party and/or to apply to close off your street , you can visit the local NNO website at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/nno or call 3-1-1 (612-673-3000).

Registering a NNO event by July 22 will offer a chance in a drawing for door prizes donated by local businesses. Registration will also entitle organizers to get Minnesota Twins tickets (vouchers for 20 tickets), mystery point passes for Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America (maximum of 20 passes, first come, first served), child safety cards (maximum of 15 cards per event, first come, first served), free reminder door hangers, free name tags, and free coloring/word search sheets.

CCP/SAFE also announced a limited supply of free start-up kits for blocks holding NNO events for the first time. The kits contain party basics like plates, cups, plastic utensils, napkins, etc. If your block is new to NNO this year, call 612-673-2977 to see if a kit is available.

A Minneapolis Police officer, fire truck or police canine unit may also be booked to attend NNO block events. 

Attendees for NNO events should bring extra canned foods and dry goods for the second annual United Way/ National Night Out food drive. Last year, more than 3,000 pounds of food were collected to support Minneapolis community food shelves.

According to the Minneapolis National Night Out organization, this year NNO events will take place in more than 140 communities in Minnesota and on more than 1,100 blocks in Minneapolis alone.