Good neighbors, good weather: county enjoys National Night Out

From the coast to the county line, Grays Harbor residents turned out Tuesday night to do some grilling and chilling with neighbors as public safety organizations turned up for the National Night Out.

From centralized small town festivals in East County to the neighborhood block parties of Aberdeen, fair weather made for a great night.

“This is my favorite night of the year,” said Kelsey Bodnar, who helped to organize a block party in Aberdeen. “It’s where neighbors become family. It’s so true.”

The execution of the event varied from locale to locale, from a miniature car show in McCleary, to a giant water balloon fight on a baseball field in Elma, to grilling in Montesano to Aberdeen’s dozen-plus block parties and beyond.

“It’s a hit again! We have huge support from all the volunteer groups in town and citizens wanting to make a difference,” said Brycen Huff, city council member in McCleary and organizer of the NNO event. “It takes a village to pull it off. I got the easy part.”

Test of Time Car Club, anchored in Hoquiam, made an appearance with several classic cars, balancing out emergency vehicles from the McCleary fire and police departments.

“We like supporting McCleary. We like to see things keep building,” said Doug Smith, the club’s president, in an interview. “We really enjoy coming here because of the atmosphere.”

In Elma, Scouts from Elma’s troop and State Troopers took part in the event. Elma Police Chief Susan Shultz said it was a great turnout, and that they’d rapidly run out of free T-shirts for guests.

“It’s awesome! I love it,” said Scout Nathan Cormier. “There’s cake pops, lemonade, and a delicious hot dog.”

Cormier said he was enjoying helping to run the Scout’s booth and looked forward to the water balloon fight. His brother, Samuel, also expressed his satisfaction with the food and his intent to get his brother with a water balloon.

Attendance was solid, said Trooper Josh Magerstaedt in an interview. Such events are always good opportunities to interact with the public in a low-tension environment and to meet with other public safety organizations to strengthen those ties, Magerstaedt said.

“This one seems like it has a few more people. I’ve only been to this one and the last one,” Magerstaedt said. “We’re human. They’re human. We’re just trying to help each other out.”

A few miles down the road, children ran across the grass of Fleet Park as member of Kiwanis grilled hot dogs, and other organizations such as Thriftway, the family advocacy center Connections, the county’s Emergency Management department, and Washington Department of Transportation all had tables with information and resources.

“This is one of those events you get out in the public and it’s not the day-to-day chaos,” said Lt. Bob Wilson of the Montesano Police Department. “It’s a matter of planning and getting everything set up. If (the public doesn’t) show up it’s all for naught.”

Police and fire both made appearances in Montesano as they did everywhere else, blocking off the street by the park so members of the public could look at their vehicles and equipment.

“It was awesome. I love doing stuff like this,” said Montesano Firefighter/EMT Lucas Salstrom. “Just coming out, seeing the community, being part of something awesome.”

In Aberdeen, Chief Dale Green was a busy man Tuesday night, cycling from block party to block party alongside Mayor Pete Schave as he attempted to visit every location that had reached out.

“We’re trying to hit everyone. This is the best weather we’ve had,” Green said. “We’re seeing a ton of people out.”

A mustard-stained mayor, Schave said he’d been having a good time.

“I’ve been enjoying myself,” Schave said.

The feeling of neighborliness was great, Bodnar said.

“It’s been busy! And it’s been great,” Bodnar said. “The sense of camaraderie with the neighbors … to feel like you live in a place where your neighbors are your friends and everyone’s looking out for each other, it brings it all together.”

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.

Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World Aberdeen Police Chief Dale Green pets Gunner, a large good boy, during a National Night Out block party.

Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World A small good boy investigates some pants during a National Night Out event in Montesano.

Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World A child runs from a water bucket during a water fight in Elma as part of National Night Out.

Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World Test of Time Car Club took part in McCleary’s National Night Out event on August 1.

Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World McCleary residents check out fire department vehicles during the National Night Out event on August 1.

Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World East Grays Harbor Fire & Rescue personnel teach kids how to use the fire hoses during the National Night Out event in Elma.

Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World Children sprint for the water balloon buckets during a water fight in Elma as part of the town’s National Night Out event.

Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World Elma Police Chief Susan Shultz prepares to get a child with a water balloon during the town’s National Night Out event.