Spend Tonight on the Town with Scotch Plains and Fanwood's Finest

The Scotch Plains and Fanwood Police Departments, in partnership with local volunteer and community organizations, are hosting National Night Out tonight. It is an annual outdoor festival that aims to strengthen police-community relations and raise awareness of crime prevention and drug abuse.

In Scotch Plains, the festivities run from 7-10 p.m. Rock-and-roll band Midlife Crisis will take the stage in Alan M. Augustine Park, the "Village Green" adjacent to the municipal building. The winner of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School's "Battle of the Bands," Hudson Sound, will also perform.

Around the park and the municipal building, festivities will include a speed-pitch game courtesy of D.A.R.E, a "Dunk the Officer" game and a goldfish ping-pong ball toss, Scotch Plains Police Captain Steven Freedman said. The department's K-9 unit will also be out and about, and the township's police, fire and emergency medical vehicles will be on display.

The Scotch Plains Business and Professional Association will hold raffle for a bicycle, and All-State Insurance will hold a giveaway for helmets and iPods.

"It's going to be an action-packed night," Freedman said.

In Fanwood, the night starts at 6 p.m. The borough's police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians will mingle with residents and give tours of their departments' emergency vehicles and equipment. A face-painter and clown/balloon-maker will be on-hand. The police will provide refreshments.

At 8:00 p.m., the Fanwood Business and Professional Association will screen "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" in LaGrande Park, part of the association's summer outdoor movie series.

Check out the images above for photographs from last year's National Night Out celebration. Be sure to check back tomorrow for coverage of the tonight's events.

For information on the county-wide National Night Out festival taking place in Meisel Park in Springfield, click here.