A celebration in recognition of first responders and community spirit is set to take place in Aspinwall.

The borough’s annual Big Night Out is planned for 6-9 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Aspinwall Recreation Site along Field Avenue.

It is presented by Aspinwall Neighbors, a community organisation dedicated to promoting the borough. Admission is free.

Activities include a bounce house, games, informational booths from multiple organizations, a foam party and a Neighborhood Lounge where attendees aged 21 and older can sample drinks from local distilleries and breweries. Photo ID is required.

“It’s an opportunity for everyone to connect to the community without necessarily being as safety focused as a National Night Out event,” said Aspinwall Neighbors President Sarah Shaffer.

“It’s really important to us to make sure there are opportunities to connect as neighbors. Not just as direct neighbors, but our community as a whole. We come together as a community, really enjoy our time and meet new people. The closer we are the more pride we build in our community and we all get more involved and more invested. That makes our community stronger.”

The Aspinwall Drum Circle and Bindley Hardware Co. will provide live music.

Police, firefighters and EMS personnel will showcase their vehicles and equipment.

Police Chief David Nemec said his officers look forward to interacting with the public at these events. The department will have presents and stickers for children.

“We get to interact with the kids a lot, talk to them,” Nemec said. “I think the community interaction with the police makes the community feel safer; safer for their kids, safer for them.”

Officers from neighboring communities will make an appearance as well, he said.

When Nemec first started out in law enforcement, “I don’t think the police were as involved (with events). I think there was a distance between the police and way we interacted with community. Today, we’re more hands on and approachable. We’re still police. We still need to do our job, but I think we closed that gap.”

RE/MAX Select Realty is one of the presenting sponsors.

Councilwoman Patti McCaffrey, one of its Realtors, said she is excited to participate.

“I first started as a volunteer with Aspinwall Neighbors way back with the first National Night Out,” she said. “It is now Aspinwall’s Big Night Out. It’s so important as a community event for many reasons. (Such as) the support of our first responders and the generous donations that the event has proved in the past for our volunteer fire department and police officers.”

McCaffrey said it is also a great time to highlight local restaurants and businesses.

Money raised this year will fund micro grants, which will channel the proceeds right back into the community.

Aspinwall Neighbors is partnering once again with with the Pennsylvania Resource Council to make it a Zero Waste event, meaning that 90 percent of waste will be diverted from landfills.

People are asked to bring refillable water bottles and pack food in reusable, recyclable or compostable materials. Last year’s event hit 87 percent.

Big Night Out will be the first time people can pre-purchase Aspinwall Neighbors’ community cookbook.

At least 60 recipes from residents and local businesses were collected the past several months to be featured in the book. It is expected to go to print in October and be on bookshelves in November.

Advance sales are $15. Regular purchase will be $20.

More information about the project is available at aspinwallneighbors.org/cookbook.

Parking at the ballfield is limited, though there will be some accessible parking spaces near the entrance.

Additional parking will be available at the Commercial Avenue lot.

Neighbors advises that additional parking is available at the Commercial Avenue lot.

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