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National Night Out Huge Success In Alexandria

National Night Out hosted by Brookville Seminary Valley Civic Association at Alexandria Free Methodist Church. (Photo Grace Billups Arnold)

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.

The snow cone truck was a hit. (Photo Grace Billups Arnold)

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.

Alexandria Fire Department and EMS toured the city giving away toy helmets. (Photo Grace Billups Arnold)

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.

Alexandria Fire Department and EMS toured the city giving away toy helmets. (Photo Grace Billups Arnold)

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.”

Alexandria Fire Department and EMS toured the city giving away toy helmets. (Photo Grace Billups Arnold)

Also present were Councilwoman Amy Jackson and her husband, and Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter.

From left to right: Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter, Captain Sean Casey, Councilwoman Amy Jackson. (Photo Grace Billups Arnold)

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 AFD ladder-truck was a popular guest in Del Ray. (Photo Grace Billups Arnold)

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.”

The Dairy Godmother was there scooping ice cream. (Photo Grace Billups Arnold)

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.”

National Night Out was dog-friendly. (Photo Grace Billups Arnold)

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.

National Night Out in Del Ray was held at Pat Miller Square on Mt. Vernon Ave. (Photo Grace Billups Arnold)

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