By Linda Stinnett

The annual National Night Out celebration at Rock River Rapids is Aug. 6 in Derby.

Along with free admittance to the water park, from 6 to 9 p.m., there will be ice cream, a bike rodeo by State Farm Insurance - Rael Hodgson Agency, displays by Derby police and fire departments, and a display by McConnell Air Force Base. 

The annual celebration in Derby is part of a national movement designed as “America’s Night Out Against Crime.” National Night Out began in 1984 as an effort to heighten awareness and strengthen participation in local anticrime efforts.

In 2011, 37 million people participated in 15,110 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canada and military bases worldwide.

The National Association of Town Watch (NATW) is a nonprofit, crime prevention organization which works in cooperation with thousands of crime watch groups and law enforcement agencies throughout the country. Since 1981, NATW has been dedicated to the development, growth and maintenance of organized crime and drug prevention programs nationwide. NATW’s network has grown to include over 6,500 crime, drug and violence prevention organizations.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for communities nationwide to promote police-community partnerships, crime prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie,” said Matt A. Peskin, NATW executive director. “While the one night is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence, National Night Out does represent the kind of spirit, energy and determination that is helping to make many neighborhoods safer places throughout the year. It is a night to celebrate safety and crime prevention successes – and to expand and strengthen programs for the next 364 days.”