By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

Each year the first Tuesday in August is a time for communities to gather, get to know each other, build partnerships with their respective law enforcement and an opportunity for neighborhoods to host block parties, cookouts, festivals and parades.

This year’s local National Night Out events are being held in communities throughout the Salisbury and East Spencer area and will feature a variety of activities including live music, carnival events, food, games and other entertainment.

Park Avenue is one neighborhood whose event will include live music from local singers/musicians Matthew Church and David Myers. The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Cannon Park, in the 600 block of Park Avenue. There will be hot dogs and drinks available.

The following communities are also hosting National Night Out events:

• The town of East Spencer will host its second annual event from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the field located at Northside Community Park on East Henderson Street, near Grant and Torbush streets. Activities include a bounce house provided by Bounce City, a DJ, free hot dogs, popcorn and drinks. The East Spencer Police Department’s public safety team will be on hand to get to know, talk with residents and share crime prevention information. Attending the event will be members of the N.C. State National Conference Basketball teams of Livingstone College and North Rowan High along with the Phoenix Steppers of East Spencer.

• Ardis Chapel Church, 1940 Old Mocksville Road, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Organizers will give away school supplies and serve hot dogs.

• Brooklyn South Square, Gray’s Chapel Church, corner of East Bank and South Shaver streets, 6 p.m to 8 p.m.

• Chestnut Hill, between Coburn United Methodist Church and St. Paul’s Church (under the shade tree), 6 p.m to 8 p.m. There will be games for children at the event.

• City Park, Lake Drive, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will include a carnival theme.

• Clancy Hills, 100 Clancy St. The carnival themed event will include a dunk tank, children’s games in which participants will be able to exchange tickets for gifts and prizes at an onsite exchange store. Organizers will have hot dogs, corn does, chips, drinks and snow cones. The event will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A Salisbury fire truck will also be on hand and the smoke education house.
• Fulton Heights, porch and front yard parties will take place throughout the neighborhood from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. A neighborhood cookout is scheduled later this month.

• Hidden Creek, 816 Courtside Drive at the club house/pool. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Moore’s Chapel, 500 Partee St., 6 p.m to 8 p.m. There will be a fire truck on hand and organizers will give away school supplies. There will also be a bounce house as well as hamburgers and hot dogs available.

• Parks & Recreation, Lincoln Pool, 110 Old Concord Road. The event will be held from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free admission to the first 75 people.

• Pine Hill Apartments will host its event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Rachel Lane will have hot dogs and drinks from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event will be held at the empty lot across from 1071 Rachel Lane.

• Rolling Hills Apartments at 315 Ashbrook Road, by the pool from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Rowan Terrace, 215 Skyline Circle, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• The Father’s House of Prayer, 2218 Statesville Blvd., from 5 p.m to 6 p.m. There will be hot dogs available at the event.

• The Gables, Faith Road at the club house from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Salvation Army, 620 Bringle Ferry Road, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with hot dogs and drinks available. Organizers will have arts and craft activities available for children and a movie in the chapel.