Bethel Park weathers stormy National Night Out
National Night Out in Bethel Park had a little of everything. Booms of thunder. Strikes of lightning. Buckets of rain. Even a rainbow.
Despite the tempest that interrupted the two-hour event on Aug. 6, the few hundred citizens hung in there and enjoyed oodles of fun mixed with ice cream and pizza, face painting and airbrush tattoos along with a mountain of freebies. There was even an appearance by SpongeBob SquarePants as well as the Minions.
“Everyone is in good spirits so we might as well stay,” said Lexi Gahagen.
Although Gahagen and her two children, Reed and Owen, were huddled in the middle of the covered picnic pavilion in Miner’s Memorial Park, they were soaking wet due to the pop-up storm.
“We are very wet,” Gahagen said, “but the rain doesn’t bother us. I feel this is the best part. Everyone is still smiling.”
Madison Smith agreed. She attended the free event with her husband, Jason Oelschlager, and their three children, Cali, Raven and Bentley.
“This doesn’t dampen our spirits,” Smith said. “Actually, I think it’s funny. We are all together as a community under one pavilion.”
Smith and Oelschlager grew up in the municipality and graduated from Bethel Park High School. After a two-year residency in Canonsburg, the couple have returned to their origins.
“We love it here,” Smith said. “It’s a great community and this is a nice event for the citizens.”
Gahagen went one step further. A regular supporter of National Night Out, she has not missed the event since its inception.
“We love the National Night Out,” she said, “but this year, they outdid themselves. It’s so much better than every other year and so well worth it to attend.”
In addition to pizza provided by Fat Angelo’s, ice cream from Beedle’s Ice Cream Truck, as well as assorted vendors from the U.S. Army, ADT and others providing free products, the Bethel Park police department was out in force mingling with the citizens.
“This is amazing,” said Bethel’s chief, David Arnold.
National Night Out is one event where Bethel Park tries to bring the community together. It’s an opportunity for citizens to come out and interact with first responders. They gain valuable information and get to know law enforcement in an informal and fun setting.
“We love being able to get out with the community and get the kids out here and have all these fun things for them to do. This is a great night for us, the police department and the community,” Arnold said.
“I hope people and kids get to see the police officers on a more personal level. A lot of times when we answer calls, they see us during a time that is not so nice. Our hope is that we get to interact with them and see them in a more relaxed atmosphere. We are having fun. This is a fun time for everybody.”
In addition to first responders and fire department personnel and equipment, the event brought out councilmen John Oakes and Joseph A. Consolmagno.
“It’s a great event,” said Oakes, who is council president. “Obviously it’s connected with law enforcement and the national night out but we have everything here. There’s a lot of people here and lots for them to do.”
“It’s as good as ever,” agreed Consolmagno, council vice president. “It’s always a great evening for the community.”
Citizens gave it two thumbs up.
“It’s lovely,” said Samantha Piqueira.
Kate Osipchyk agreed. She attended with her daughter, Katie. The two moved to Bethel Park three years ago from Belarus when Osipchyk’s husband, Alex, was transferred to the United States by his employer.
“We came out because we wanted to enjoy some family events. Meet our neighbors and the police department,” Osipchyk said. “We appreciate it so much. It’s so much fun to be around our neighbors and community. The people are so nice. We like everything about here.”