After a delay of a few days, the Mantua school district hosted its Big Night Out on June 14 at Chestnut Branch Park to celebrate the work of the students and the community as a whole.
The event – started in 2017 at J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School – is a partnership between the school district and the township to raise funds for district projects in the works and for student assemblies. It featured a plethora of activities for all ages, including face painting, food trucks and a dunk tank.
“We had the best Big Night Out ever,” the district noted on Facebook. “On behalf of the Mantua Twp. board of education, we would like to thank Mantua Township for making this evening possible …
“Thank you to our Clearview students who volunteered their time to face paint,” the post added. “Thank you to the wonderful vendors and food trucks who attended. Thank you to our amazing staff, who volunteered their time to assist with the event.
“And thank you to our amazing Mantua Township families for coming out to support our schools and community.”
Township organizations on hand at the event included the Mantua Historical Commission and the township fire department, the latter represented by the display of a fire truck.
“Committeewoman Eileen Lukens and I attended and enjoyed engaging with the crowd,” Mayor Robert Zimmerman said of Big Night Out. “What a great event for the families of Mantua. There were hundreds in attendance that enjoyed a full filled evening of food and activities.
“The highlight of the night for me was when 7-year-old resident Diana Greene asked for my autograph and said I was a great mayor,” he added. “Far from great, but I’ll take the compliment. It was quite the honor to give this little lady my very first official autograph.”
