A celebration will be held at Whitmore Park on Tuesday, Aug. 2 for National Night Out designed to bring the community together to reduce local crime.

Held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the event will feature games and activities, free food, displays of police vehicles such as the armored SWAT vehicle and demonstrations by the Ceres Police canine unit. The Modesto Fire Department personnel will also be on hand showcasing equipment. The Sheriff’s Department Air-101 helicopter will also be doing a flyover at some point during the event.  

Free food and drinks, including hot dogs and chips and drinks donated by Cost Less Foods and Pepsi, will be offered. Kona Ice will be supplying ice refreshments. Starbucks will also be providing refreshments and Loza’s will be providing desserts.  Home Depot will be on hand to offer youth activities and inflatable bounce houses will be available for the kids.  Cornhole boards and live music will also be part of the fun.

National Night Out is held annually in many cities to focus on community crime prevention. The program was started in August 1984 and has since grown to include millions of participants across the country.

The event is typically held on the first Tuesday of August in most communities.

The Ceres Police Department  praised its contributors, which include Mr. Taquito, Starbucks, Pepsi, Cost Less Foods, Kona Ice, Home Depot, Loza Restaurant, Ceres Lions Club, Sam’s Café and George’s Gas and Grill, for enhancing the event.