Parade, fireworks, police citizenship awards mark Munster Night Out Against Crime’s 27th year

Twenty-seven years ago, a classroom visit from D.A.R.E./Crime Prevention officer James Ghrist at Eads Elementary School served as the catalyst to begin a National Night Out Against Crime celebration in Munster.

The teacher in that classroom, Louise Chickie-Wolfe, was front and center at this year’s 27th annual event at Munster Community Park on Tuesday, which was organized by Ghrist.

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“Officer Ghrist saw the importance of developing this type of event,” the retired school teacher said, adding it has grown over the years from a few dozen visitors to thousands, and vendors have expanded from a dozen to 110 this year.

The purpose of the National Night Out is to promote positive educational activities for all ages. Similar events took place throughout the region, including Valparaiso and Portage.

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Visitors take photos with their phones as the Lake County Sheriff’s Department helicopter lands during Munster’s National Night Out event on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

Festivities began with an afternoon parade, led by Munster American Legion Post 68 and the Munster High School cheerleaders, dance team and band members.

Safety information, K-9 demonstrations, barrel car train rides, a blood drive and games also were on the day’s to-do list, with a fireworks display concluding the day’s celebrations.

The Munster High School football, hockey and soccer teams set up demonstrations and hands-on activities, giving visitors an opportunity to see how the games are played.

Also, the Munster High School Dance team provided face paint designs for the youngsters.

Children go for a ride in a tractor-pulled barrel wagon during Munster’s National Night Out event on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

“My granddaughter is in seventh heaven,” said Linda Franklin of Highland with a laugh as she watched Carrie Franklin, 6, take a seat under the tent. “She knows this is just for fun and we don’t do this at home. But that’s what today is all about — having fun and doing things we haven’t done before.”

In addition, various churches and businesses set up tables to introduce themselves.

John Halton of Munster’s South Side Christian Church met with visitors, explaining many of the programs his organization offered.

“This (event) is a good opportunity for everyone to get involved,” he said, as he handed out information from his table. “All ages are covered.”

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Munster resident Moriah Neal, 4,, uses a straw to blow her paper boat during a “raingutter regatta” race in the Boy Scouts of America tent at Munster’s National Night Out event on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

St. John resident Pat Hartman grew up in Munster and remembered his parents being involved in the National Night Out events.

“I was little, but it was always a fun time, people were happy to be together,” Pat said. “When I come back here each year, I run into old friends and no matter where we live, we will always be proud of our hometown.”

The Munster Police Department also gave out the town’s annual Citizenship Award.

“These Munster residents are nominated in regard to their involvement or support of our programs,” Ghrist said.

This year’s winners were Brad Hemingway, Chris Spolnik, Laura Stuart, Denise Murphy and Lithographic Communications.

Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.