Storm Cuts National Night Out Short

Hundreds gathered for Buffalo Grove’s National Night Out event Tuesday at for family-friendly entertainment before the event was shut down due to impending thunderstorms. The event, originally planned from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., ended at about 6 p.m.

Buffalo Grove Deputy Fire Marshal George Michehl said officials decided, in conjunction with Buffalo Grove police and park district officials, to end the event early upon learning that storms were heading toward the village.

“We had to get everything shut down before the storm,” Dan Schimmel, executive director of the Buffalo Grove Park District, said.

Within 20 minutes, most of the vendor tents were cleaned up and removed, and event participants were headed to their cars.

“We usually have between 4,000 and 5,000 people attend the National Night Out,” park district spokesman Mike Terson said prior to the event’s early ending. “It’s always a guessing game based on the weather.”

Hazy skies and temperatures approaching 100 degrees did not deter hundreds from having a good time before the storms hit.

“We’re here for some fun, and to enjoy the night out,” said Lindsey Waitzman, who attended the event with her two children.

“We’re here for the fun, and because we like the bouncy castles,” said Sandy Mills, who brought her daughter, Isabel, to the event. “There’s also the ice cream and other free food.”

Vendors set up booths and provided giveaways. provided hot dogs, bottled water and bags of chips, while gave away dishes of custard.

Sunshine Arts & Crafts provided ceramic magnets for kids to paint. “We’ve set up a tent before for Buffalo Grove’s National Night Out,” owner Don Colby said. As the wind picked up, he commented, “The wind will help the magnets dry a bit faster.”

Ac Rock, a cover band, performed a medley of Motown hits and other popular songs, including “Summertime Blues.”

The Buffalo Grove Fire Department invited children to slide down a firefighters' pole, while the handed out junior police badges, pencils, and coloring books. “We’re trying to reach out to the kids with our booth,” Paul Jamil, crime prevention officer, said.

had T-shirts that children could decorate and take home.

Other vendors included , , , 100.3 FM, and Red Carpet Construction and Remodeling.

"Most of our vendors are local companies," Terson said of the diverse mix of vendors. "It's a great business opportunity to showcase them in front of the community. Some of these companies sponsor park district events throughout the year as well."

Buffalo Grove Trustee Andrew Stein attended National Night Out with his family. “I’m here to enjoy the event and be outside with the community,” he said.

The Buffalo Grove Environmental Action Team handed out magnets with information on what items can be recycled at . “We want to get people to think about being green with these magnets. There’s a chance they might not know what Village Hall can recycle,” Deenie Pomilia, a member of the group, said.

Lake County Board Chairman David Stolman, who lives in Buffalo Grove, was also among those in attendance. “I think this event is marvelous,” he said. “It’s great for the community to come together. There are great things for families and kids, and it’s a great opportunity for the vendors, too.”

National Night Out is a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. According to its website, National Night Out “strengthen[s] neighborhood spirit and police-community partnership.”