ROCKINGHAM — Another summertime tradition is being canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
City Events Coordinator Kim Williams announced Monday afternoon that there would be no National Night Out for 2020.
National Night Out is typically celebrated the first Tuesday in August and is an effort to bring the police together with the community.
The Rockingham Police Department often has officers take turns in the dunking booth and makes fingerprint identification cards for children.
For the past several years, there has been a rock-climbing wall and other inflatable obstacle courses and attractions for children.
The students who attend the Junior Police and Fire Academy are also honored with certificates at the event. However, the annual summer camp, a joint venture between the Rockingham police and fire departments, was also canceled.
“There was no way that we could operate it, so we will look forward to next year,” Police Chief Billy Kelly said about the academy, which is normally held toward the end of June and early July.
On the National Night Out organizational website, municipalities are encouraged to postpone the event until Oct. 6, but Williams said city officials decided to just hold off and focus on next year.
The event would have been two days before Plaza Jam, which was also canceled for August and every month so far this summer since May.
