By Paula Pyzik Scott

Ada's first celebration of National Night Out on August 5 was full of enthusiasm among hosts and guests. The highly organized event was well staffed with Village of Ada, Liberty Township, Hardin County and Ohio Highway Patrol representatives and many volunteers. Some 34 organizations and individuals supported the event (listed below).

The long shady lanes of Ada's War Memorial Park were lined with activities, vehicles and uniformed safety services personnel as part of a scavenger hunt that earned guests food and prize tickets. Pizza, hot dogs and doughnuts were served at a station that didn't get overwhelmed because families were busy finding the stations where Safety Passports were stamped.

Guests had the opportunity to try on firefighters' gear, sit in the driver's seat of several types of emergency vehicles, pet dogs available for adoption, and to talk with first responders about their work. In one of the park shelter houses, volunteers and Officer Penny showed children and adults how to make sure bike tires are properly inflated.

At the shelter where prizes were on display, Ada Police Chief Alec Cooper asked young participants, "what's your favorite place in Ada?" One youngster promptly answered, "My house!" 

Behind a yellow-tape Police Line, members of the Village of Ada Council enlisted young Junior Officers who promised to make Ada a safer place. The Ada Police Department reported that 179 people completed the Safety Passport Adventure.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT SPONSORS