WORCESTER—The annual National Night Out event took place in Worcester’s University Park on Aug. 5. The event was organized by Worcester Community Police Officer Rebecka Mailea, along with a small army of volunteers from city departments, local organizations and businesses.
After a short opening ceremony, headlined by Worcester resident Fundador Morales performing the National Anthem, kids, adults and families were able to take part in a variety of activities, visit booths of local organizations, and interact with police, fire and other city personnel.
Activities included volleyball, horse-riding, touch-a-truck, fire demonstrations, arts and crafts, and more.
State Sen. Mike Moore (D-2nd Worcester District) said the work put in to hold the event was apparent, and the wide variety of organizations involved is a good sign for Worcester.
“This is the sign of a strong, healthy community – one that gets along, can come out and interact together, regardless of what part of the city you are from. Everyone lives here, we’re one community,” Moore said.
“This is one of the best nights we have in Worcester,” said Worcester County Sherrif Lewis Evangelidis. “It’s so wonderful to be a part of a community where our law enforcement and our community understands that we work together. This is a special celebration of who we are as a community.”
Mayor Joe Petty thanked the 125 vendors and city staff for their part in the event, as well as Mailea for her tireless work.
“This is important for the community and to bring the community together,” Petty said. “[Mailea] works very hard for the city of Worcester, to make it a better place.”
Danielle Delgado, executive director at the Central Community YMCA, said the event has continued to grow each year.
“We’ve been working on this for a year,” Delgado said. “We’ve outgrown our location at Fuller Park [where it was held the past two years]. We’re here and we hope to continue to grow.”
Mailea was quick to give praise to those around her who did their part for the effort, especially the 125 vendors and organizations who could have been elsewhere.
“Thank you for all of the vendors who put up with my millions of emails and my precise arrival times,” she said. “Thank you for choosing to come to our National Night Out. I know a lot of you were chosen to go to other events all across the country, and you picked Worcester.”
Steve Smith, a veteran reporter with 17 years at The Hartford Courant, now brings his passion for photojournalism to Worcester. An award-winning photographer, he has covered major events like U.S. soccer, pro football, and UConn basketball. He is also the official photographer for the Miss Massachusetts competition and works as a realtor. Contact him at steve@stevephotographysmith.com
