ATHOL – Rescheduled from Aug. 6 due to an unexpected downpour, the National Night Out events of North Quabbin will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

Organized by the North Quabbin Community Coalition (NQCC), these events allows residents of Athol, Orange, Petersham and Royalston to gather with friends, neighbors and first responders to learn what their local police are doing to ensure the community’s safety. Folks will also have a chance to eat a few snacks, catch up on local news and enjoy a little entertainment.

The first National Night Out took place in a Philadelphia suburb in 1984. The inaugural event consisted of neighbors turning on their porch lights and sitting in front of their homes – the idea being to let everyone know that residents were watching out for one another.

“The National Night Out Against Crime was the original premise,” NQCC Executive Director Heather Bialecki-Canning explained. “Basically, it’s a community block party. It’s a chance for community members to socialize with first responders and to really see public safety as the responsibility of the entire community.”

Bialecki-Canning said activities in Athol will take place in front of the Athol Senior Center, in the parking lot of Lord Pond Plaza; Butterfield Park is the location for Orange; residents of Petersham and Royalston will gather on the town common in each community.

NQCC-sponsored National Night Out events will be taking place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in each of the four communities.

“Each site will have free hot dogs, water, and many of the sites – I think all of the sites, actually – will have additional goodies, but they differ from place to place,” Bialecki-Canning said. “Things like chips, popcorn, things like that. We get help from the Police Departments and Fire Departments from all of the four towns.

“Each site typically has its own entertainment. This year we have entertainment at each of the four sites – live music as well as DJs. We often have dog or police K9 demonstrations, including the Northeast Houndsmen and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office….It’s just a really great free event for people to come out and enjoy their community and get to know each other.”

Phillipston will be holding its own National Night Out celebration Tuesday night from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 50 the Common, according to the Phillipston Police Department Facebook page. Those who show up for the event are encouraged to decorate their bicycles and participate in a parade around the common. Prizes will be awarded to the bikes deemed “best decorated.” All ages are welcome to take part.

There will also free ice cream treats from Pops Sweet-Harts Ice Cream Truck. Free child identification kits will also be available, as will File For Life kits. The Northeast Houndsmen and the Templeton Police Department Drone Unit will provide demonstrations.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.