Vernon's National Night Out to Feature a Variety of Activities This Year

What do beauty queens, a magician who makes balloon animals and a Chef Featured on a Food Network Show have in common? 

They are all scheduled to take part in the 2013 edition of national Night Out on Tuesday.  

The festivities are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. and conclude at 8 p.m. 

National Night Out is a free event, meaning all those attending will receive free hot dogs, water and chips. 

The town green will be filled with booths representing local groups, organizations and businesses. In addition to information on the respective organizations, many booths will feature something free to give away.  

The exceptions are a silent auction table and a raffle, designed to help defray the cost of the evening.

Prizes traditionally include several back-to-school backpacks filled with educational supplies. This year, both a girls and boys bicycle with helmets will be featured, along with gift certificates to area establishments.

The Rockville Community Alliance is also sponsoring a free bounce house for young people. Games and photo ops with character cut-outs will be featured. 

Miss Greater Rockville and Miss Greater Rockville's Outstanding Teen – Gina Salvatore and Jeanette Porcello, will be on hand to chat and hand out autographed photos. 

Bev's Corner will be hosting face painting. The Shriners will have recycling containers for bottles and cans and proceeds benefit children with severe burn injuries. 

Popular local magician Bryan Flint will be on hand to make balloon characters for the kids. 

Chef Chris Avtges, the new director of food and nutrition services for the Vernon public school system, is planning to show off a surprise recipe that was hailed on a recent episode of the Food Network show "Chopped" he participated in. 

Information on the Neighborhood Advocate Program (an offshoot of the Block Watch Program) will be available. National Night Out is organized by the Rockville Community Alliance, the Vernon Police Department and the Vernon Parks & Recreation Department with the help of the Vernon Police Union, Pietras Funeral Homes, Target Stores, Stop & Shop and Bardin Insurance. 

National Night Out takes place across the country (except in Texas, where it will occur in October) on Aug. 6. Target is a national sponsor of the event.  

National Night Out takes on a block party format to bolster fellowship among neighbors and to promote information on how to make crime prevention a priority in all neighborhoods.