Headline updated to reflect that Olney’s NNO event is the biggest in Montgomery County
An Olney summer tradition returns on August 1 when local first responders and the community come together to celebrate Olney’s 28th National Night Out (NNO), from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Fair Hill shopping center, located at Olney-Sandy Spring Road and Spartan Road.
The free, family-friendly event is sponsored nationally by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and locally by the Olney Chamber of Commerce and partnering organizations Montgomery County Recreation, the Montgomery County Police Department’s 4th District, the Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department, and the Maryland-National Capital Park Police.
More than 16,700 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and military bases around the world will participate this year, which marks the 40th anniversary of National Night Out. “We look forward to National Night Out each year because it is an event that brings our community and law enforcement together,” said Montgomery County Police Sgt. Ijeoma Enendu. “We use this event as an opportunity to meet and engage with members of the community we serve and to educate them on key community issues. This event is not only about police and community relations, but a way for local businesses and vendors to network and make connections with members of the community.”
“Olney’s National Night Out is a special event people do not want to miss,” she added. “Montgomery County Police and members of the Olney business community play an active role in planning this event to create an evening that is fun and educational for all ages. There is music, games, and food – all the things that bring people together to celebrate the community and foster the support for safer communities.”
Olney’s NNO is the largest of many NNO events held throughout Montgomery County. Olney received an award for our 2022 event from National Association of Town Watch, placing 18th among participating communities worldwide with a population of 15,000-50,000 people. Award criteria included planning, organizational structure, community impact, neighborhood participation, law enforcement involvement, and media/promotional campaign.
“We were thrilled with the success of last year’s National Night Out, and expect this year’s to be bigger and better,” said Terri Hogan, executive director of the Olney Chamber of Commerce. “The focus of National Night Out is to enhance the partnership among neighbors, law enforcement, and businesses, to cultivate a true sense of community. I think our event accomplishes that in a way that is really fun for all ages.”
“This is the ultimate touch-a-truck event,” added Jaime Costolo, the Chamber’s deputy director. “Kids can sit on a motorcycle, pet a Park Police horse, check out a police cruiser or the MCPD Command Bus, look inside an ambulance, talk to firefighters and police officers, and so much more.”
Dignitaries including Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Police Chief Marcus Jones and elected officials are scheduled to attend several National Night Out events around the county on Aug. 2, but traditionally begin their evening in Olney. They will travel in a motorcade from the Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department’s Station 40 to kick off Olney’s NNO at 5 p.m. Upon the motorcade’s arrival, the event begins with a flag ceremony performed by the American Legion Post 68.
Olney’s NNO also features a DJ, dance and martial arts performances, demonstrations, information on fire and crime prevention, U.S. Secret Service child ID fingerprint kits, giveaways, crafts, face painting, and more. Exhibitors include more than 40 local businesses, county agencies, elected officials, and nonprofit organizations.
Food will be available for purchase from several vendors,including Grubbing Hard BBQ Scratch Kitchen, the Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department Canteen, and Kona Ice.
The Chamber is grateful to the sponsors (all Olney Chamber members) for supporting the event.
Gold event sponsors are Brooke Grove Retirement Village, Carlos Covarrubias/State Farm, MedStar Health, Montgomery County Recreation, and Stein Sperling, Bennett, De Jong,and Driscoll.
Silver sponsors are Integrated Sport, Spine & Rehab, Preferred Hearing LLC, Adventure Park at Sandy Spring, James Creek Lawn & Landscape, Pegasus General Contractors, What’s Up Promotions, Sandy Spring Friends School, Olney Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kang’s Black Belt Academy, Olney Studio of Dance, Friends House Retirement Community, The National Retina Institute, and Quinter Design.
Net proceeds from the event will be donated to the Olney Police Satellite Station, Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department, the Maryland-National Capital Park Police, and the Officer Noah Leotta “Act Responsibly” Scholarship.
For more information, go to www.olneymd.org.