National Night Out events planned across Triangle Tuesday

These free events offer lots of fun and educational activities for kids.

Posted 4:18 p.m. Aug 4, 2012 — Updated 7:28 p.m. Aug 7, 2012

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Triangle communities are gearing up for a night of block parties and special events as part of the 29th annual National Night Out.

While many observances happen in neighborhoods, some are designed for bigger crowds. The events, often sponsored by Target, seek to raise awareness of community policing efforts and other anti-crime efforts and usually offer lots of fun and free activities for kids.

It's all set for Tuesday. Here's what's happening in the Triangle:

Cary celebrates downtown from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday. It's been held at Cary Towne Center in past years. Activities just for kids include inflatables; a dunk booth where kids can dunk a Cary police officer; and a game truck. Check the website for details. UPDATE: The Cary event has been canceled. The website said they may reschedule it for later this fall. Stay tuned.
Wake Forest will mark the date from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Wake Forest SuperTarget, 12000 Retail Dr. The event includes fire, police and EMS vehicle displays. WakeMed Hospital's Air Mobile One will fly in. And there's more. Click here for details.
Garner will celebrate from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Target at White Oak Crossing shipping center, 1040 Timber Dr. East. There will be inflatables; police, fire-rescue and EMS displays; and more.
In Raleigh, it's 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at North Hills. McGruff the Crime Dog (!) will appear, along with representatives from the Raleigh Police Department and Wake County Sheriff's Office, State Highway Patrol, Wake County EMS and the N.C. State horse patrol. Click here for details.
Apex celebrates from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Apex Target parking lot, 1201 Beaver Creek Commons Dr. You'll find food, games, live music, exhibits and more.
Holly Springs plans an event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Jones Park, 405 School Days Lane. They'll have activities for kids, light refreshments and law enforcement displays.
Clayton celebrates from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Town Square. Click here for details.
Morrisville's event is 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Morrisville Target, 3000 Market Center Dr.
The Vance County Sheriff's Office and Henderson Police Department invite people to come out from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the 200 block of Breckenridge Street in Henderson for activities. There will be free T-shirts and hot dogs while supplies last. Several local and state agencies will have displays and information.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office has several events planned across the county from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Click here for details.