West Hollywood community members joined City officials, LA County emergency teams and law enforcement for the city’s National Night Out block parties throughout the city limits. City Neighborhood Watch groups partnered with the city to host block parties that offered barbecues, live entertainment, dancing, and more on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. There were nine events in total.
The City of West Hollywood cancelled the event during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 and 2020. There are usually six to ten separate events throughout the city, however, because of concerns over the surges in COVID-19 cases, there were only three-in person events in 2021 (one event was virtual for those who wished to stay home) and there were seven events in 2022.
This year’s events had a lot to offer. Some neighborhoods went all out. WeHo East had a Circus theme with dancing clowns, magicians, a DJ set by Paulo Ramirez, a dunking tank that saw Mayor Pro Tem John Erickson get soaked, who was then replaced a a go-go dancer and there was even a pie eating contest.
West Hollywood West Resident Association had food trucks, ice cream and a an actual portable pizza oven.
Harper/Sweetzer offer free food, desserts, music and a chance to meet and greet neighbors, city council members, and members from LA County Fire and West Hollywood Sheriffs. There will be raffle prizes, a street taco stand, pizza sponsored by Prince Street Pizza, as well as a Healthy Spot Doggie Snack Station, so bring your fur babies.
This year’s N Harper Sweetzer National Night Out Block Party is dedicated to Esther Baum and Jeff McKay who passed in 2023. Team captain Tanya Kim made Esther’s famous deviled eggs.
And there was so much more to do and people to meet and city officials to greet at the events, which mostly ended at West Hollywood Heights Neighborhood Association on Horn Street with a Mexica Fiesta that served street tacos.
This year marks the 40th Annual National Night Out (NNO), which began in 1984 as an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, law enforcement, community partnerships, and neighborhood camaraderie – and to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized against crime.
Nationwide, more than 35 million people in neighborhoods across the country gather outdoors to celebrate their unity and their successes in the fight against crime. Celebrating National Night Out has been a tradition in West Hollywood since the City’s incorporation.
National Night Out 2023 participants include members of the West Hollywood City Council, Neighborhood Watch groups, the West Hollywood Gateway, and the City of West Hollywood’s Public Safety Commission and Russian-Speaking Advisory Board. Events will be held in coordination with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the City of West Hollywood.
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wow, you really captured them all! Great coverage!