ALEXANDRIA, VA—On Tuesday, August 3, the nation simultaneously celebrated National Night Out. Communities across America gathered for food, fun, and frivolity to quell the thirst for socialization that has been building for the last year.
Throughout Alexandria, approximately 30 locations hosted National Night Out, each one with equally as awesome activities and special surprises. Families enjoyed the snow cones and movies and ice cream and animals that were sprinkled across Alexandria. Also seen roaming the town was a selection of Alexandria’s finest: the fire department, sheriff’s department, EMS, council members, and Medical Reserve Corp.
The Brookville Seminary Valley Civic Association (BSVCA) National Night Out began with a bike parade led by a police motor escort, featured an EMS vehicle (which enthralled the children), and ended with an outdoor movie on a big screen.
President of the BSVCA and Captain at the Sheriff’s Department, Sean Casey, was present the whole night. “So far it’s going really well,” he stated. “Everyone seems to be having a great time. Considering what we’ve all been through for the past year and a half, I think we all need a night like this, and so far, it’s been great.”
Also present were Councilwoman Amy Jackson and her husband, and Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter.
Captain Casey remained at the BSVCA site, but the rest of the Alexandria Fire Department, EMS, Sheriff’s Department, and council members traveled the city in cruisers, ambulances, and fire engines, stopping at several locations to offer children toy fire helmets and a peek inside their vehicles.
The evening was staffed by volunteers, and one volunteer for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was blown away by the turnout from both families and community officials. “We did one 2 years ago and it was successful beyond our wildest beliefs,” he claims. “We got around 200 people, but tonight I’ve already counted 130 and it’s not even 6 o’ clock. So we are thrilled with the turn out.”
With a rise in the Delta Variant of COVID-19, masks were recommended at all locations, but nonetheless, people were eager to see one another, even if they couldn’t see their faces. The volunteer continues, “You really don’t know in this environment if people are going to show up, but I think tonight says yes. People are kind of hungry to get out and do something.”
It was wonderful seeing all members of the Alexandria community come together for something so simple: a night out. Hopefully we do not have to wait another year before we all come together again.
