Bartlett celebrates National Night Out for four days

Many of the Northwest suburbs will celebrate National Night Out next Tuesday, but none more so than Bartlett, which turns the annual event designed to heighten crime and drug abuse prevention and strengthen police-community partnerships into a multiple day extravaganza.

And this year, Bartlett, an old railroad town, hopes to break a world train whistle record at its 23rd annual event.

The festivities begin Friday, July 29, with a Twilight Skate Park Bash from 6 to 10 p.m. hosted by police, the park district and the fire protection district at 620 W. Stearns Road. The event includes music and a limited amount of free pizza and bottled water.

Activities include face painting, a speed pitch competition, a police canine demonstration, bean bag toss games, a balloon twisting artist, emergency vehicle displays and a yo-yo demonstration at the Jim Jensen Pavilion from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by a free Family Pool Party at the Bartlett Aquatic Center from 8 to 10 p.m. with a limited number of free root beer floats and glow sticks.

On Saturday, the village will host a blood drive and prescription drug drop-off from 8 a.m. to noon at the village hall, 228 S. Main St. The village also will be collecting canned and packaged food and school supply donations. Blood donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment at www.heartlandbc.org or by calling Patti Hill at (331) 454-1123.

Then, from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, the village holds its Block Party/Lighting Competition, with police and fire personnel visiting all of the registered block parties to determine the Best Lighted Neighborhood, Best Overall Block Party, Best Block Party Participation, Best Charitable Block Party, Best Themed Block Party, Best Spirited Block Party and Rookie of the Year Block Party.

At 1 p.m. Sunday, the village will host its free second annual National Night Out, Chip, Putt & Drive Crime Out of Bartlett Golf Skills Competition at the Bartlett Hills Golf Club.

All participants receive a National Night Out T-shirt, hot dogs, chips and bottled water. Preregistration is required at the Pro Shop, (630) 837-3230.

The Bicycle Safety Check will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Jim Jensen Pavilion, followed by the Bike Ride at 4:30 p.m. to Bartlett Park. A secured bicycle corral will be provided until 8 p.m.

At the culminating event, the Picnic in the Park at Bartlett Park from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, the village will attempt to break a Guinness World Record of 1,127 people blowing train whistles simultaneously.

The evening also includes free food, giveaways, local business displays, Little Boots Rodeo panning for gold interactive exhibit, watermelon eating contest, face painters, an inflatable slide, golf/soccer/archery skills exhibits, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, Benny the Bull, Jesse White Tumbling Team, 501st Legion Star Wars characters, Division BMX Stunt Team, Skydogz and a variety of other attractions.

For more information, go to www.village.bartlett.il.us.