Get Out For National Night Out

Lower Merion Community Watch, in partnership with the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), will host its annual "National Night Out" Community Festival in Anderson Ave. parking lot on Tuesday.

National Night Out 2012 will feature carnival games, live music, food, rides, a carousel, funnel cakes and entertainment, according to a NNO press release.

Attendees on Tuesday night will also have the chance to win a free iPad from . (To enter, “like” Ardmore Toyota on Facebook and post a message about National Night Out.)

The event includes EMS exhibits, home safety information and a chance to meet police, including their K-9 team.

This is the 29th year of National Night Out, an idea created back in 1984 by Matt Peskin of Wynnewood, the executive director of NATW. More than 15,000 other communities across the United States, Canada and military bases worldwide will host their own National Night Out events on Tuesday.

National Night Out is designed to:

• Heighten crime prevention awareness
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships
• Send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

In addition to being a great opportunity for residents to interact with local police and fire officials in a positive environment, National Night Out is also an opportunity for the Lower Merion Community Watch .

"We're always in need of people," Peskin said. "We’re hoping to have 10 or 20 people sign up at the event."

National Night Out will be held in the Anderson Ave. parking lot of Suburban Square on Tuesday, Aug. 7, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Parking will be available throughout Suburban Square.

Admission is free. The prices vary, but most rides are $2 to $3 and games are $1, Peskin said. Items from the food tent will cost $4.

View photos from last year's Night Out in the photo gallery above.