An Olney summer tradition takes place on the first Tuesday in August when local first responders and the community come together to celebrate Olney’s National Night Out celebration.
The free, family-friendly event is sponsored nationally by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and locally by the Olney Chamber of Commerce and partnering organizations Montgomery County Recreation, the Montgomery County Police Department’s 4th District, the Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department, and the Maryland-National Capital Park Police.
More than 16,700 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and military bases around the world participated in 2023, the 40th anniversary of National Night Out.
Olney’s NNO is the largest of many NNO events held throughout Montgomery County. The National Association of Town Watch ranked Olney's 2023 National Night Out event 16th in participating communities with a population of 15,000-50,000! The awards are based on the extent of citizen involvement, the quality of the local National Night Out program, level and extent of law enforcement participation and the media and promotional campaign.
Dignitaries and elected officials attend several National Night Out events around the county, but traditionally begin their evening in Olney. Upon their motorcade’s arrival, the event kicks off with a flag ceremony performed by the American Legion Post 68.
Olney’s NNO also features a DJ, dance and martial arts performances, demonstrations, information on fire and crime prevention, U.S. Secret Service child ID fingerprint kits, giveaways, crafts, face painting, and more. Exhibitors include more than 40 local businesses, county agencies, elected officials, and nonprofit organizations.
