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Date: 7/25/2023
CHICOPEE — A night of community, connections and fun is anticipated as Chicopee’s National Night Out returns on Aug. 7.
The event will take place at Sarah Jane Sherman Park from 5 p.m. until dark, followed by a flashlight walk on Chicopee Street.
Chicopee Police Capt. Holly Cote said National Night Out has “amped up” the last couple of years, as it now takes up the entire park instead of only half of it.
Last year, Stefanik Park was used as the helicopter landing for the Massachusetts State Police. Cote said they are looking to do this again with MSP or Life Star.
Additionally, Westover Air Reserve Base Community Forces will be there, along with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, horses and Marine unit, and the Chicopee Police and Fire departments.
A “huge hit” is always the K-9 demos, which attendees can expect to see, Cote said.
There will be over 20 vendors — all community related groups — doing giveaways and more.
Cote shared that the Chicopee Housing Authority donated a photobooth, popcorn and candy.
ChicopeeFRESH will be serving hotdogs, chips, drinks and other snacks.
As it is a “big park [with] lots of space,” there will be two DJs on each end.
Cote noted that everything is free.
“The highlight of the event is the relationship building with the Police Department and residents,” she said.
Cote explained that there is a C3 unit in Chicopee Center and now there is one in the Willimansett area — where the event will be. She said this is a great way for those officers to connect with the residents.
She went on to say that National Night Out shows what Chicopee really is. “Although we are a medium size city, we have that small town feel,” Cote shared.
She added that it is also a time for Mayor John Vieau, Police Chief Patrick Major and Fire Chief Daniel Stamborski to welcome and talk with residents.
National Night Out is a nationwide program that launched in 1984, to build community and promote police-community partnerships to improve neighborhood safety and establish caring places to live.
Cote said that Chicopee became involved in 1994, through the efforts of Katie Fitzgerald and many citizens. In 2016, Cote and Fire Capt. Katie Kalbaugh took the reins, with help from the Chicopee school department, DPW, Mayor’s Office and others. Aside from missing one year due to COVID-19, this will be the 29th year the city has hosted the event.