It is among the biggest events annually in Bridgeport and organizers aren’t expecting anything to change in 2019. This week, Bridgeport Police Chief John Walker confirmed that Bridgeport’s National Night has been set and plans are already well into the works.

 

The event, he said, will be held August 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Benedum Civic Center. The national event is held the first Tuesday of August each year.

 

“We always enjoy the outreach the event provides because it connects our law enforcement officers and first responders with the community,” said Police Chief John Walker. “It’s extremely important to have a relationship with the people you provide service to.”

 

As Walker alluded to, the event is more than just fun, games, music and food. Its purpose is to allow community members to get to know and to talk to members of their respective police departments. Bridgeport’s event has worked as crowds are always at capacity.

 

“We’ve had more than a 1,000 people attend this event regularly,” said Community Development Director Andrea Kerr, who is once again involved in assisting. “You’ll see a lot of the vendors we have at other city events in attendance, but you’ll also see a lot of unique vendors for the event.”

 

There are also plenty of standard vendors that draw a lot of attention. Kerr said Chic-fil-A and McDonald’s are among the two mainstays that are always popular, and that Pepsi is once again donating drinks to the event.

 

“There are a lot of food vendors for the event and there will once again be prizes,” said Kerr.

 

Those in attendance can register to win one of several prizes. The prizes are usually high-ticket items purchased by the city, but with an assist from the business community.

 

“We get a generous discount from Target to purchase the items there,” said Kerr. “There are so many businesses throughout the community that assist and make this an event that people really line up for, and I mean really line up for. You’ll see lines wrap down to Virginia Avenue when we’re getting ready to open.”

 

Along with food, drink and prizes, there will be free admission to the Bridgeport City Pool. And for those wanting to cap a complete evening of entertainment there will once again be a band. This year, local band Crimson Reign will perform for the crowd.

 

“We’re inviting the public to come out and have good time,” said Walker. “We also want them to come out and talk to our officers and get to know them. It should be a fun evening.”

 

Vendors expected to be in attendance include Buffalo Wild Wings, Mia Margerita, Mountain State Brewing, Wendy's, McDonald's, Target, Meagher's Irish Pub, the Jack Strong Foundation, The United Security Agency and Dippin' Dots. 

 

Editor's Note: Photos show fun and activity at past National Night Out events in Bridgeport. Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.