The Mantua school district’s Big Night Out returns to Chestnut Branch Park on Thursday, June 8 to celebrate the district’s character education program and the end of the school year.
“Last year was our first time hosting Big Night Out at Chestnut Branch Park, and it was a hit,” said school Superintendent Christine Trampe.
Big Night Out started in 2017 and was initially held at J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School. Over the years, it has morphed into more of a large community event, and last year’s version marked the first time it was held at the park.
Funds raised from Big Night Out will help pay for student assemblies, according to Trampe, as well as other school district projects like the addition of a new parking lot and blacktop at Sewell Elementary; a new playground at Centre City Elementary; and new security cameras and features at Tomlin.
“This year, we will be returning to Chestnut Branch Park and bringing back our extremely successful vendor fair,” Trampe noted. “We will also have 10 food trucks, a DJ, dunk tank, face painting, inflatables and a choo choo train for our youngest children.
“The most notable change from last year’s event is that we will be doing our “fun runs” … during the day on June 8,” she added, “so that every student can be part of the event.”
Trampe herself will attend, along with administrators and staffers at each of Mantua’s three schools, Mayor Robert Zimmerman, members of the township committee and representatives of the fire and police departments.
Big Night Out hours are 5 to 8 p.m. A shuttle will transport guests to and from the event at both the park itself and the municipal building, since parking is expected to fill up quickly.
“We anticipate it will be well attended again this year,” Trampe observed. “The event was so much fun last year, and it was heartwarming to see how many people from the community came out to attend.”
