UNITY ON DISPLAY

Residents meet their neighbors for National Night Out

Residents joined with local police officers to take back the streets Tuesday for National Night Out

Originally a crime-fighting event, the annual gathering has evolved into a street fair, bringing residents together on the first Tuesday of August.

Pottstown celebrated National Night Out with a large community get-together at Washington and Chestnut Street Park.

“It’s really important for people in the community to feel like they’re supported by the businesses and nonprofits that are in the community,” said Ryli Meyer, community engagement specialist at the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities. “It provides everybody a sense of unity and coming together in every sense of what it means to be a community.”

Along with free food and music, community members were able to explore different vendors and companies throughout Pottstown.

Tables included: Pottstown Dragon Warriors, with an erging competition; Pottstown Community Action; Hobart’s Run; Pottstown Children’s Discovery Center; and Grace Early Learning Center, with face painting.

“We really want opportunities for the community to come out and enjoy themselves,” said Judith Memberg, executive di-

rector of Genesis Housing Corp. “That’s part of the whole neighborhood revitalization to find out there’s lots of people just like you in the same place.”

Among other venders, there was also: BB&T Bank; Mosaic Community Land Trust, with chalk drawing; Montgomery County Mobile Crisis Support; and Pottstown FARM.

National Night Out welcomed many who came to the event in the past.

“I used to come here all the time,” local Raymond Bumarger said. “It’s always a good night out ... It brings everyone else together.”

And people new to the town also showed up.

“We wanted to see what’s in our community and what’s around,” Katie Pindjak, who recently moved to Pottstown with her family.

“It’s great. There are a lot of community programs (in Pottstown). We go to the library all the time.”

Other events throughout Pottstown included Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, at 60 N. Hanover St., handing out free hot dogs and water ice.

Salem United Methodist Church, at 335 West St., also celebrated with free food and games. The church used the event as a meet and greet to welcome its new pastor, Etta McCall.

“Our goal is to let the community know that we’re here for them,” said McCall, who started at the church July 1. “The community is our goal. We have to come out of those four walls, because we can stay in the four walls and never reach the community and we (wouldn’t be) doing a good service.”

National Night Out events were also held in

MONICA SAGER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Many residents came out for Pottstown’s community celebration of National Night Out on Tuesday.

MONICA SAGER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Malcom Haigh enjoys National Night Out in Pottstown.

MONICA SAGER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Pottstown Dragon Warriors hosted a erging competition, pictured competing: Samera Cody and Allyson Rosa.

MONICA SAGER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Nachos, burgers, hot dogs and watermelon were served at Pottstown’s celebration of National Night Out.

MONICA SAGER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA People were able to explore many vendors and organizations in Pottstown at National Night Out.

MONICA SAGER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Salem United Methodist Church hosted a meet and greet with its new pastor, Etta McCall.

MONICA SAGER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Kids enjoy free water ice at National Night Out at the Washington and Chestnut Street Park.

MONICA SAGER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Mosaic Community Land Trust hosted a sidewalk chalk event at the National Night Out celebration.

MONICA SAGER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Pottstown Children’s Discovery Center had a sensory bead activity at National Night Out.