Dunkirk will host its 30th consecutive National Night Out celebration on Tuesday at Washington Park, beginning at 6:30 p.m., with a movie to follow shortly afterward. The Dunkirk police and fire departments will be in attendance, with various activities available for all ages.

As it was a year ago, Fredonia’s event precedes the commencement of Dunkirk’s celebration on Tuesday, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Russell Joy Park. The Fredonia Fire Department will be in attendance with equipment, along with DJ Chris Rivera, face painters, food, drinks, and ice cream, as well as a bounce house for kids to enjoy.

At last year’s event, Fredonia Police Officer Ben Kravitz said, “The focal point of an event like this is to get the police involved with the community so that young kids can realize we are their friends, we’re not the bad guys. We’re here to help them if they ever need us.”

Fredonia police officer Ben Kravitz dances with a child during the National Night Out event on Tuesday at Russell Joy Park.

With a smile, Kravitz later admitted, “I’d much rather be doing stuff like this than out writing tickets. I’d rather see those smiles on their faces. It’s nice seeing all the kids having a good time and their parents enjoying it.”

Like Rosas in Dunkirk, Fredonia Mayor Doug Essek spoke to the importance of the event a year ago.

“We look to make sure the community understands that our first responders are part of the community. They can trust and talk to them and rely on them,” Essek said. “I look forward to many more years of this continued success.”

At last year’s events, both Dunkirk and Fredonia received recognition from the state, as Mo Sumbundu, a representative from Governor Kathy Hochul’s office, who delivered an official proclamation from the State of New York signed by Governor Hochul recognizing the efforts by local law enforcement and their engagement within their communities.

“The partnership we have with the community that we serve is outstanding,” Dunkirk Police Chief David Ortolano said at last year’s event. “This is a night when our police officers, our firefighters, we can interact with the community in a 100 percent positive way. Usually when you see a police officer, it’s not something good, but this is a night where we can interact positively with everyone from our little kids to our senior citizens here tonight.”

National Night Out celebrations continue Wednesday in Cassadaga from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Johnny Fessenden Ballfields. First responders will be hosting demonstrations of their equipment. Expected to attend are the Cassadaga Fire Department, the Stockton Fire Department, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department and the New York State Police. Fire Guys Bounce House will be available for guests to enjoy, as well as Gus Hotts food truck and cookies by Daw Daw’s Delights.