Surry County’s Sheriff’s Office will host its annual National Night Out from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Surry County Parks and Recreation building.

For the past six years, the Sheriff’s Office has participated in this nationwide event, which is intended to promote community building and positive relationships between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.

The event will allow community members to bring their entire families out to see emergency vehicles and equipment used by different organizations up close. There will also be games, a school supplies giveaway, food, a dance contest and other activities for children and adults.

The Sheriff’s Office is expecting a large turnout. Last year, when the traditional National Night Out festivities were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic and rescheduled for October in combination with a trunk-or-treat, about 250 cars participated, Sheriff Carlos Turner said.

“This is an evening for the community, first responders and community resources to come together,” Turner explained. “Typically, it’s focused on crime prevention and to generate support for our local anti-crime efforts, but since we are one of the safest counties in the state, we have actually adjusted our event to include community resources and local vendors.”

The Sheriff’s Office has partnered with JustBE, Royal Stepz and the Surry Department of Youth and Family Resources to give out backpacks and school supplies.

“Several years ago, we thought it would be a good opportunity to expand this beyond the Sheriff’s Office, and Emergency Services agencies,” Turner said. “But to involve community resources in the event. “We have home-based businesses, nonprofit organizations, faith based organizations and the list goes on, who want to get their names out there, and we want to help with that. It is a way for the entire community to really get to know each other and know what is available to them.”

The event is free to attend. More information is available on the Surry Sheriff’s Office Facebook page or by contacting Lt. Roy Lane, Ramona Newberry or Paquita Spratley at 757-294-5264.

Isle of Wight County’s Sheriff’s Office will also participate in National Night Out jointly with the town of Windsor’s Police Department. That event is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 3 at Windsor Town Center, 23361 Courthouse Highway, Windsor, and will include free hot dogs, snacks, drinks and kids’ activities, including a bounce house.