by Geoff Fox
As the smoke from the fireworks fell across Widmeyer Park and the smell of gunpowder filled the air last Tuesday night, August 7, well over 700 people headed home after celebrating National Night Out in Hancock.
Hancock Police Department sponsored the yearly event, which is held on the first Tuesday of August each year.
The evening kicked off with a welcome from Mayor Ralph Salvagno and a prayer from Rev. Allan Weatherholt of St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
The Hancock Police Department wasn’t the only police force represented at the event.
Officers from Maryland State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, West Virginia State Police, Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Maryland DNR, Pennsylvania DNR, Hagerstown Police Department, and Town of Bath (Berkeley Springs) Police Department were also represented. The Maryland State Fire Marshall’s Office was also represented, as was the Hancock Volunteer Fire Company.
Folks were able to walk around to a number of informational booth and get treats like shaved ice, cotton candy, and nachos at a few stands.
One of the displays was the veterans tribute truck Black Out with its tribute to the soldiers who never returned from service and flags of the branches of the military, U.S. flag, and those honoring police and firefighters.
The Hancock Lions Club were handing out free hot dogs, chips, and water at the Lions Pavilion while Krazy Rayz sold pulled pork and brisket sandwiches.
Kids were kept active with the Joint Training Facility and their activities as well as Hub City Inflatables bounce houses.
Take Two provided music all night until shortly before the fireworks went off around 9 p.m.
Kids were lined up to play soccer in the giant inflatable balls from Joint Training Facility.
The fireworks display was set off from the small ball field area across Little Tonoloway Creek and lasted about 15 minutes.
Officer Shawn Faith of the Hancock Police Department, along with two troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police and Trooper Sam Smith of the West Virginia State Police, bow their heads as Rev. Allan Weatherholt said an opening prayer.
