With a large kick-off celebration scheduled at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday Aug. 1, the National Night Out observance in Oakdale will then run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with seven different neighborhood gatherings.

Opening Ceremonies will be at Burchell Park in the Burchell Hill neighborhood, starting at 5:45 p.m.

There will be remarks from Oakdale City Manager Bryan Whitemyer, Chief of Police Jerry Ramar, Oakdale Mayor Cher Bairos, the Pledge of Allegiance and a general overview of the evening.

This year marks the 40th anniversary for National Night Out, observed in communities across the country on the first Tuesday of August. Oakdale has a rich history of award-winning ‘Night Out’ festivities and this year will have multiple sites taking part.

Kara Corral of the Oakdale Police Department noted that the Bridle Ridge neighborhood is not on the list of events this year, thought they have participated in years past.

“Burchell will host the opening ceremony and anyone whose neighborhood is not having an event is welcome, it’s open to everyone and this is going to be the focal point,” Corral said of the Burchell Hill event.

There will also be activities at Golden Empire Apartments, 1935 Ponderosa Drive; Tesoro at 2265 Via Cavalow; School/Olive at 128 School Avenue; California and Laurel area with the gathering at 410 Walnut; Belmare Senior Living, 1450 West F; and Oak Leaf Meadows Apartments, 636 Pedersen, in addition to the Burchell Park event.

All the gatherings are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Police Chief Jerry Ramar said there will be different teams of first responders and public officials going out to the various sites.

“We will split up but the different teams each will probably get to visit five stops,” Ramar explained.

All are expected to be on hand for the Opening Ceremonies, with the teams then spreading out around the city to visit the various stops.

The goal of National Night Out is to get neighbors outside, visiting with others and interacting with police, firefighters, city leaders and more in a positive, informal setting. It’s a time to “take back the night” from drugs and crime and the Oakdale events typically include potlucks, barbecues, fun activities for kids, informational booths and more.