National Night Out Aug. 7 in Tekoa, Palouse

Tekoa

The third Tekoa National Night Out will be Tuesday, Aug. 7, from 5 to 8 p.m., to be joined this year by Palouse, which will bring back their own National Night Out at Hayton Greene Park.

Tekoa’s event began in 2016, when the city approached Tekoa Ambulance – a non-profit organization independent from the city or fire department – to host it at the ambulance barn.

More than 125 people turned out and the next year it was moved to the Gymkhana Grounds. The ambulance crew of seven EMTs, one first responder and two drivers fed between 250 and 300 people, barbecuing pulled pork sandwiches as people met with representatives from the Whitman County Sheriff’s Department, Washington State Patrol, Tekoa Fire and the crew of a Lifeflight helicopter, which landed on the grounds.

It was a night that began with volunteers gathering picnic tables from around town on the back of Jim Gordon’s trailer to take to the park.

“It’s really morphed into a big event,” said Cliff Melton, president of Tekoa Ambulance.

This year, the group will turn the barbecuing over to Toby’s of Spokane, which will bring down a trailer for pulled pork sandwiches while resident Sandy Dehan makes salads, with ingredients supplied at cost by Tekoa Market.

The night is free for all, paid for by Tekoa Ambulance, which encourages people from the surrounding areas (Farmington, Latah and more) to come out.

“It’s all just a way to show the community that help is there when you need it,” said Melton. “And a round of applause for law enforcement and first responders for a job well done.”

Palouse

National Night Out returns to Palouse after a long absence Aug. 7, put on by the Palouse Chamber of Commerce.

“We just tried to figure out a way for people who have moved to Palouse to come down and meet their neighbors,” said Debbie Goetz, President of the Palouse Chamber of Commerce.

The event will be at the city park along the bend of the river, with participants encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. The Lions Club will sell hamburgers, and various police, fire and EMS personnel and vehicles will be on hand.

Chamber representatives will hand out tickets at an arrival table for door prizes — including coin sets from Banner Bank and an oil change from Bagott Motors. In addition, the Viking Crew will give out ice pops and have basketballs to use for the park’s court, and the Palouse Federated Church will set up an obstacle course.

“We got a lot going on,” Goetz said.

Also, Pioneer Produce will bring fresh vegetables and jams for sale and the Palouse Library will set up a table. Musicians will play.

Organizers sent out 485 postcards last week to inform residents.

“All Palouse residents are welcome and encouraged to come,” Goetz said. “Meet the neighbors and have fun. We like to have a good time in Palouse.”

National Night Out events take place each year on the first Tuesday in August in all 50 states, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. It began as an annual community-building campaign that promoted police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and to make neighborhoods safer.