National Night Out 2019: Safety and community are focus of Lehighton celebration
Caleb Hearn, 4, of Franklin Township, gets guidance as he scales the Cathedral Rock Gym Rock Climb during National Night Out in Lehighton on Tuesday. See a video of the event at tnonline.com. TERRY AHNER/TIMES NEWS
Carson Burkey, 6, of Lehighton, accepts a hot dog from Lehighton Borough Police Chief Brian Biechy during National Night Out in Lehighton on Tuesday. TERRY AHNER/TIMES NEWS
Kyle Mriss, 2, and Lindsay Mriss, 5, of Lehighton, are happy as a lark as they visit with Sparky the Fire Dog during National Night Out in Lehighton on Tuesday. See Page 3 for more coverage of area National Night Out events. Visit www.tnonline.com for a video. TERRY AHNER/TIMES NEWS
It was all about safety and the community in Lehighton on Tuesday night as the borough held its National Night Out 2019.
Despite major downpours, the joint initiative between the Lehighton Police Department and Lehighton Downtown Initiative was staged in the borough’s Lower Park.
It marked the sixth consecutive year that the borough hosted the event — and first time it was held in the Lower Park — according to Lehighton police Detective Matt Arner.
“We have a great crowd,” Arner said. “We got a little bit of rain, but we’re not going to let that dampen our spirits.”
Kelly Mriss of Lehighton attended the event with her children, Lindsay, 5, and Kyle, 2.
The two youngsters had a blast as they watched and listened to Sparky the Fire Dog provided by the Franklin Township Fire Department.
“I like Sparky,” said Lindsay. “He talks, and he does a wheelie.”
There was an obstacle course, bounce house and games, while the Lehighton Area Memorial Library had a table with games and reading for the kids.
Chauncey Hearn of Franklin Township said he was glad he brought his children, Lydia, 6, and Caleb, 4, to the event.
“It’s very nice,” Hearn said.
Music was provided by “The Doc” from Colossal Radio.
The Lehighton Fire Department, Mahoning Valley Fire Company and Lehighton Ambulance were also on hand.
There were also various groups from community services available, along with many other vendors.
The borough police department initially held National Night Out in 2008 and 2009, and was the first in the county to do so.
