Macungie hosts first National Night Out in years: sergeant

MACUNGIE, Pa. — The public Memorial Park hosted its first National Night Out in years according to Sgt. Travis Kocher on Tuesday, Aug, 5.

It was held from 5 to 9 p.m. to bring the Macungie Police Department and the community closer together.

National Night Out is a national annual event that occurs every first Tuesday of August and has been going on since 1984.

Kocher explained Macungie Memorial Park’s history with National Night Out.

“I’ve been here for 24 years,” Kocher said. “We’ve had them in the past, but we had a long period where we did not have any… So when Ashley started here…she’s been here about three or four years… It was her intent to bring it back.”

The free event featured vehicles provided by the Macungie Police Department, the Ambulance Corps, the Fire Department, and the Lower Macungie Fire Department for attendees to view and take pictures of.

Guests could also enter a raffle for a chance to win toys, school supplies, bikes, wine, and other prizes

A dunk tank was also provided with Borough of Macungie councilman Carl Sell Jr. as the dunkee.

The Park also had Chino’s Place, Blue Cactus, The Wicked Chef, and other food trucks.

The event housed the Emmaus Public Library, the Lehigh Valley Health Network, Friends of the Macungie Institute, and other local organizations.

The event also featured a tug of war between the kids and Macungie police, bounce houses for the kid,s and live music.

The Administrative Assistant for the Borough of Macungie, Ashley Rinker, commented on what she liked about the evening.

“I’m just very excited to work with such an amazing police force…and the community appreciates it as well,” Rinker said.

The Borough of Macungie and the Police Department worked on the event for nearly a year according to both Rinker and Kocher.

Both parties plan on bringing back National Night Out for 2026.

Macungie Memorial Park is at 50 Poplar St, Macungie, PA 18062.

View their website for more information on upcoming events.