LEWISTON – The city’s annual National Night Out will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 tonight at Marcotte Park.

National Night Out has historically proven successful in heightening crime and drug prevention awareness, generating support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts, strengthening neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and sending a message that neighborhoods are organized and united.

Highlights of this year’s event will include free food, pony rides, arts and crafts, face painting, a moon walk, music, the Lewiston Police Department’s 10-foot Walk-A-Bout police officer named Officer Pal, and raffles. The Lewiston Police Department will also have a cruiser on site, and the Lewiston Fire Department will have a fire truck at the event.

The celebration will be sponsored by the Lewiston Police Athletic League, the Lewiston Police and Fire Departments, and the Lewiston Recreation and Parks Department.

The national initiative is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development and promotion of organized, law enforcement-affiliated crime and drug prevention programs.