Summer Nights Program Draws Hundreds at Kickoff

By Christina Georgiou

Click on any photo for a full-size view.

About 200 local residents stopped by Centennial Park in Easton's West Ward Monday evening, undeterred by scattered thunderstorms, for the first evening this year's "Summer Nights" program, annually hosted by the city's Weed and Seed program.

While the event was briefly interrupted by a thunder shower that included strong winds and  hail, the hardy crowd did not disperse, instead choosing to wait out the weather, taking shelter under the park's pavillion and canopies erected for the event.

Those attending enjoyed hot dogs, nachos, blueberries and ice pops, as well as live music by Charlie Brown's Notorious Groove.

The Cops 'n Kids Reading Room also gave out books to children, and will do so again each Monday at Summer Nights from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.


Patrolman Diego Santiago, a member of the Easton Police
Department's Problem Oriented Policing program, chats
with a young boy who brought his bike and his friends
Monday evening at Centennial Park.

Members of the Easton Police and Fire Departments also stopped by Centennial Park Monday evening, chatting with members of the community.

The Summer Nights program will run every Monday through Thursday, from 4 to 7 p.m., with the exception of July 4, through August 15.

Meals will be provided each evening to attendees by the YMCA of Easton and Phillipsburg Summer Food Program, and a variety of crafts and other fun activities are planned throughout the season.


Linda Paar and Paul Bauchspies, both of West Easton,
served up more than 400 hot dogs at the event Monday
evening.



The Summer Food Program will provide meals for residents in several locations in the city over the next couple of months, including Monday through Friday from 11 to 11:45 a.m. at Heil Pool, Monday through Thursday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Centennial Park, and on Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Weed and Seed office, 1201 Ferry St.

Summer Nights is made possible through the cooperation of a number of local nonprofit organizations and agencies, as well as by the sponsorship of local businesses and individuals.


Weed and Seed Director Laura Accetta poses for a photo
with two Summer Nights volunteers Monday evening.

More sponsors for Summer Nights are still welcome too, said Weed and Seed Director Laura Accetta.

Attendees and volunteers crowd under a popup tent during
Monday evening's brief thunderstorm, which included hail.

Those wishing to sponsor a night or to get more information, should call the Weed and Seed office at 610-438-2680, Accetta said.



It was a team effort to hold down a popup tent to keep
it from blowing away during Monday evening's brief storm.



 

 



  

A young attendee at the Summer Nights
program Monday evening checks out her
new book, provided by the Cops 'n Kids
Reading Room.



Easton Area Community Center Director Anita Mitchell
smiles while taking shelter from the rain in the EACC van,
which was used to distribute free books to Summer Nights
attendees Monday evening.



 

Stomping in puddles left behind by the brief storm Monday evening was an impromptu bit of fun a number of
children indulged in.

 

Playing basketball is a perennial activity at Centennial Park in Easton's West Ward.

 

 

Yes, that really is a unicorn on the young lady's head.



The crowd watches as, right, Charlie Brown's Notorious Groove
plays at the Summer Nights program kickoff Monday
evening. Below, others enjoy the hot tunes by dancing in
the street.