WATERVILLE $ The annual National Night Out celebration held in the city's South End has been expanded to include three days of activities, starting Friday.

A family movie to be held outdoors, 3-on-3 basketball event, skateboard contest and a barbecue with live entertainment and games are all part of the celebration, hosted by the South End Neighborhood Association, Kennebec Valley Community Action Program and Waterville Police Department.

National Night Out is designed to help prevent crime and drug use, strengthen relations with the neighborhood and police and send a message to criminals that crime will not be tolerated.

South End police Officer Todd Burbank said Thursday that the events offer a good way for neighbors to meet each other, become familiar with the South End Neighborhood Association, and spend time with law enforcement officials.

"Firefighters will be there demonstrating their fire equipment also," he said.
Police departments all over the nation take place in similar events as part of National Night Out, Burbank said.

"It has been very popular and it's growing each year."

The family drive-in movie event will be held 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday in the KVCAP parking lot on Water Street.

The movie, "How to Eat Fried Worms" will be shown free of charge under the stars and a free cook-out will be hosted by Element 3, a church. Popcorn will be provided and people are asked to bring their own chairs. Rain date is Saturday.

On Saturday, the 3-on-3 Basketball Mania tournament will be held in Grove Street Park with teams registering at 9:30 a.m. and games to start at 11 a.m.. The contest is open to both children and adults. Seven divisions will be featured and trophies awarded to first-place winners in each division. Burbank said the rain date is Sunday.

On Tuesday, the free Neighborhood Backyard Barbecue will be held 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Sherwin Street Park.

Games and prizes, a bounce house, rock wall, live music with the Al Pouliot Project, and demonstrations from local police and fire departments will be featured. Area community organizations will host children's activities.

A skateboard competition with cash prizes will be held 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and the bands, "Fate" and "Dirty Jokes" will perform after the contest.

The events are sponsored by the city, Waterville Area Boys and Girls Club, Advance 1 Cleaning Services, GHM Insurance Agency, Dead River Co., Boy Locksmith, Joseph's Market, Jaysix, Burger King, South End Cafe, Bull Moose Music, NES Rental, Valley Distributors, Colby College and Hafford's Saloon. Sponsors donated everything from money and equipment to beverages and food, according to Burbank.

Burbank said that event organizers are working with the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce to share resources for both National Night Out and the Taste of Greater Waterville, to be held Downtown Aug. 6.

"Fate" and "Dirty Jokes" will perform at the Taste as part of the partnership, according to Burbank. He and Nancy Sousa, director of the South End Teen Center, will help chaperone the band event, as well as a karaoke show, on lower Main Street during the Taste. A rock wall will be set up at a different location that night.

Amy Calder $ 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com