Get ready, Oakdale. This year’s National Night Out promises to be bigger and better with a new site location bringing fresh excitement to the community.
On Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., residents are invited to the intersection of South First Avenue and East J Street for an evening packed with fun, food, and fellowship.
It has been over a decade since this area hosted a community event, but Caitlyn Barreda is changing that.
“It’s going to be a great night for past community members to reconnect and for new neighbors to meet each other,” she said.
As a life-long Oakdalean, Barreda wanted to bring a sense of community back to this part of town and help residents find resources that they might not be aware were available.
The event will feature an array of attractions, including food, games, a DJ, a photo booth, and booths set up by various non-profits.
“Seed 2 Cup Coffee will be giving away free lemonade and tea, and Care To U Oral will offer free oral cancer screenings,” Barreda shared.
Other businesses and organizations participating include Jump City Rentals, Astoria Senior Living and Memory Care, Bliss Photo Booth, and Soroptimist International. Jump City Rentals is generously donating chairs for the event, while Bliss Photo Booth will offer free photo booth services, courtesy of Samantha Mercado, a local real estate agent.
Barreda highlighted the importance of making this event accessible.
“This area is often overlooked, and many people don’t have the resources or know where to find them. Our goal is to bring these resources directly to the community,” she explained.
The event is set to be a fun and safe environment for all ages, with activities like a spinning wheel from River Walks and Play, which will be giving out dog treats. Even the Oakdale High School S Club is getting involved, volunteering to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Oakdale City Council member Kayleigh Gilbert emphasized the significance of such events. “I feel like a lot of people in my area don’t feel connected with the city. We want everyone in Oakdale to feel included and united,” she said.
National Night Out is a significant event nationwide, involving more than 38 million people in 16,000 communities across all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide.
This community-building campaign promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live.
With so many exciting features and a focus on community connection, this year’s National Night Out is not to be missed. The organizers for the South First-East J gathering are still seeking volunteers and donations of kids’ items or games. Interested individuals can contact Caitlin Barreda at 209-719-0353.
