Temperatures and attendance soared at the fourth annual National Night Out Block Party on Tuesday.
About 700 people braved temperatures in the 90s to attend the the Poplar Bluff Housing Authority event. Organizers, as well as attendees, called the event “spectacular despite the heat.”
“We had tremendous turnout this year,” said Tammy Harper, PBHA office manager. “We had an absolute blast.”
NNO is a national program that happens on the second Tuesday of August around the country, to connect first responders with the community. This year’s event combined it with the Back to School Bash. Back to School sponsors were South Central Community Action, First Midwest Bank, Community Resource Council and Sonic. A total of 393 backpacks were handed out.
Harper added additional events sponsored by Borrowed Time Real Estate, East Side Pharmacy, Morse Harwell and Jiles, and John’s Pharmacy.
Twenty community partners set up booths including South Central Community Action Agency, Boys & Girls Club of the Heartland, Three Rivers College, Haven House, Butler County 4-H Club, Missouri Highlands and Southern Care & Comfort, just to mention a few, Harper said.
“The Bread Shed graciously grilled and served the hot dogs, chips and snack cakes,” she said.
Local heroes at NNO included Poplar Bluff police officers Selana Torres and Brandon Clark along with Poplar Bluff firefighters Tanner Tibbs, Eric Mierisch and Captain Chad Bell.
“Butler County EMS stole the show by participating in the dunk booth,” Harper said. “We also had a few superheroes like Supergirl, Spiderman, Doctor Who, Rouge, a couple Star Trek people. Republic Services made a surprise appearance with Oscar the Grouch, which was crowd pleaser.”
She added, “I am overwhelmed by the amount of support we received this year. We received very generous donations for door prizes from Buffalo Wild Wings, La Torcia Brick Oven Pizza, Sonic, Steak ‘n Shake, Big Whiskey’s, Subway, Myrtle’s Place, Earls Diner, Snowball Daddy, Burger King, Popeyes, The Deep Freeze, Whitworth Gift Chest Jewelers, WalMart and Poplar Bluff Motorsports Park.
“First Midwest Bank graciously donated four children’s bicycles and Pepsi donated a portable basketball goal. Borrowed Time Real Estate sponsored the Cockadoodle Moo Petting Zoo.”
Dena Ward volunteered her artistic abilities to do face painting for the first time this year. The petting zoo was a crowd favorite, along with the foam pit provided by the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Department.
PBHA Deputy Director Rebeca Pachero said,
“The National Night Out showcased the power of community, bringing people together with a lively block party filled with fun, food, and connection. We are honored to have the opportunity serve the community and are thankful for our partners, sponsors and volunteers that help us bring this event to the community each year.”
South Central Community Action Agency Community Outreach Coordinator Rebecca Ogden said, “I am so proud of Tammy and how wonderful the event she planned turned out. South Central Community Action were all very highly impressed. The only thing that was wrong was the heat and Tammy could not control that. We are very proud to be in a partnership with the Poplar Bluff Housing Authority.”
Harper summarized, “Each year NNO continues to grow. I am so grateful for the amount of support I receive throughout our community. I definitely wasn’t expecting the turnout tonight however apparently I was somewhat prepared. Volunteers from Christways Ministry and the United Gospel Rescue Mission were a tremendous help. It was a lot of hard work but seeing every smile, every laugh made it all worth it. I couldn’t haven’t survived tonight without my amazing coworkers, Angela, Danny, Dawn, Lory and Melba. Plus Jessica our ROSS Services Coordinator was onsite assisting with activities and games.”