Council approves National Night Out at Young Patriots Park; members promote event and volunteer needs

The Riverview City Council on Aug. 4 approved a special-events application from the Neighborhood Watch to hold National Night Out at Young Patriots Park on Aug. 5, with a rain date of Aug. 12 if high winds or lightning occur.

The approval was included on the consent agenda and moved by Councilmember O'Neil and supported by Councilmember Robins; the roll-call vote recorded yes votes from the councilmembers present. During other business, council members and staff promoted the event and asked residents to volunteer.

Mayor Pro Tem Webb and other council members described planned activities: food from Riverview Pizza Place, free sundaes and deputy ice cream, a variety of family attractions including two giant water slides, a slip-and-slide, a bounce house from ZZR Party Rentals, face painting by Carrie Ann of the Clown Caravan, music by a local DJ service, arts-and-crafts with Riverview Veterans Memorial Library staff and exhibits by first responders, including police and fire vehicles and the Downriver SWAT Team's Bearcat tactical vehicle. A character named Stitch was scheduled for photo opportunities; K-9 Officer Blue was also mentioned.

Councilmembers asked residents to sign up as volunteers and noted a Rotary information table to recruit members; one councilmember also said the council is accepting volunteers to help hand out prizes and support event activities. The meeting record does not include estimated attendance, vendor contracts, or details on event permits beyond the consent approval.

The council did not discuss additional event-related city expenditures in the recorded meeting minutes. Weather was noted as a potential factor: high winds or lightning at 6 p.m. would move the event to the rain date of Aug. 12.