The Auburn Police Department is taking over Festival Plaza and Main Street on Thursday, Aug. 10, for the city’s annual National Night Out against crime. The event, which begins at 5:30 p.m. and goes until dusk, will be an evening of family fun, live music, and tasty food for all Auburn residents.

This is the 19th year that the Auburn PD has hosted National Night Out, a free, anti-crime, public safety event. Police department staff and community partners will serve up hotdogs, beverages, popcorn, and plenty of family friendly activities. There will be police, fire and public works equipment on display, and many local community partners and nonprofits will be on hand. There will be plenty of games and activities for kids, including an inflatable obstacle course, bounce house, face painting, balloons from the folks at Hammond Lumber, free iced coffee provided by Starbucks of Auburn (Starbucks is a national sponsor of NNO), and more, according to a news release from the police department.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Auburn PD K-9 Brick, and shoot hoops with local basketball legend (and international professional basketball star) Troy Barnies. The APD also will set up an impaired driving obstacle course to help encourage motorists to drive sober. And Mrs. Maine USA, from Auburn, will be at the event to welcome attendees and talk about cyber safety for children and families.

There will be live music all evening from the L-A Harley Band. Their appearance is made possible through the generosity of L-A Harley-Davidson.

“National Night Out is an opportunity for our police department to show our strong commitment to community partnerships here in Auburn,” said Police Chief Jason Moen. “We’re grateful to have this chance to connect with Auburn residents and share a fun evening together, all in the name of public safety.”

“We enjoy getting everyone together each year to show the unbreakable police-community partnership we have here in Auburn,” said Deputy Chief Timothy Cougle. “When we connect like this, our city is stronger and safer. Having the support of our community partners makes this the best block party of the year. This really is community policing at its best.”

2023 marks the 40th anniversary of National Night Out, America’s annual “night out against crime.” It is a unique crime/drug prevention event presented by the National Association of Town Watch.

For more information, contact Liz Allen at LAllen@auburnmaine.gov or 207-333-6601, ext. 2070.

Check out other upcoming area events!