We can’t wait until National Night Out. Can you?

It’s coming to Bluffton on Tuesday, Aug. 6, says Lt. Matt Oglesbee, of the Bluffton police department.

Last year the event gobbled down 2,400 hotdogs, 1,200 bags of chips and 2,500 caps of pop and water.

“This year looks like a repeat of last year,” said Oglesbee, who oversees the sixth annual Bluffton National Night Out, which is a community-police awareness-raising event. Bluffton's event is sponsored by the Bluffton police and Pandora police departments.

The evening looking like this:
• All day – free swimming at Bluffton Community Swimming Pool
• 6 to 9 p.m. – free events open to the public at the pool
• 9:30 p.m. – (approximate time) free fireworks, compliments Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce
• Expect a crowd of between 2,000 and 2,500 in attendance
· Rain date – Wednesday, Aug. 7

The evening includes food and snacks, plenty of give-a-ways, fire truck displays and rides, face painting, bounce houses, live music.

How you can help
“We need many volunteers, monetary and “in-kind” donations," said Oglesbee, adding that this is a “leave your wallet at home” event. “We use no taxpayer money to put this on, so donations are crucial.”

Send checks to:
Bluffton Police Department
Payable to “Village of Bluffton”
154 N. Main St.
Bluffton, OH 45817

• Or, call Oglesbee at the police department, 419-358-2961, extension 110, or email him at: [email protected].

• Want to volunteer? Contact Abby Michael, Bluffton police officer, 419-358-2961, extension 192, or email her at [email protected]. Volunteers will work two shifts: 5:15 to 7 p.m., and 7 to 9:15 p.m.

Fireworks
Want to donate to the fireworks fund? Contact Paula Scott, Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce. At [email protected], or call 419-369-2985.

Donations may be mailed to:
Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 142
Bluffton, OH 45817