Central Jersey Celebrates National Night Out with Food, Games, and Community Fun
Neighbors marked National Night Out with dunk tanks, train rides, free pizza, and pro wrestling matches. (The Central Jerseyan)
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Central Jerseyans celebrated National Night Out on Tuesday with free food, music, games, and lots of giveaways. Thousands of communities participate in the nationwide event—including Edison, Rahway, and Woodbridge—each adding their own local spin to the festivities.
In Rahway, members of the police department braved breezy weather and took turns in a dunk tank that looked older than some of the officers themselves. Public Safety Director Frank D’Errico led by example, volunteering to go first.
“I had a lot of patrolmen ask me if I would go in the tank. So I said yes,” D’Errico said.
He added that he got dunked at least four times in the first half hour before a younger officer stepped up to relieve him of duty.
One of the unique features at Rahway’s National Night Out party was a dunk tank. Members of the police department took turns taking the plunge. (The Central Jerseyan)
The event also served as an opportunity for local organizations and businesses to connect with residents.
Karla Alvarez, of the Rahway Social Justice Commission, said it was a great way to meet many of the city’s newer residents. Like other Central Jersey towns, Rahway experienced a population boost in recent years, as families moved from larger cities in search of more affordable housing.
“A lot of people just don’t know what we have to offer,” Alvarez said.
She described the Social Justice Commission as a tool for local government to hear directly from residents.
The towns staggered their celebrations in a way that allowed some families to attend multiple events. Rahway’s National Night Out, held outside the train station, kicked off at 4 p.m. Edison’s started at 5 p.m., and Woodbridge followed at 6—each running for about three hours. Edison also capped off its evening with a movie night by Lake Papaianni.
In Edison, families were treated to a free shuttle ride aboard a “choo choo” train from the municipal parking lot to the festival grounds. The ride was a big hit, especially with young children.
Kids who stopped by the Edison Police tent walked away with knapsacks full of goodies—coloring books and crayons, water bottles, frisbees, and more.
“Half of these kids have never spoken to a police officer before,” said Sgt. N. Patel. “This is a good opportunity.”
Spectators watching a wrestler jump from the top rope of a full-size ring in Edison. (The Central Jerseyan)
The main attraction in Edison was a pro wrestling showcase featuring a full-size ring and a cast of high-flying characters. The matches were organized by Wrestling n Wrecovery, a nonprofit that supports those recovering from addiction and promotes a safe, positive environment for the pro wrestling community, according to its Facebook page.
The free food was another crowd-pleaser. Edison organizers handed out nearly a thousand slices of pizza—plus more hot dogs than the woman at the Sabrett truck cared to count.
The “choo choo” train shuttle was a big hit with families in Edison. (The Central Jerseyan)
Woodbridge had its own food, fun, and games—including barbecue, live music, and bounce houses. The event also ran a bit later, wrapping up at 9 p.m. at Alvin P. Williams Park, in Sewaren.
Turnout at this year’s events may have been lower due to an air quality alert issued Tuesday by the National Weather Service. Smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed the sky in a cloudy haze. But for those who came out, the night offered a fun, safe, and entirely free way to connect with the community.
National Night Out started in 1984 in Philadelphia as an effort to reduce crime. That first year, the organization says, involved 400 communities in 23 states. Forty-two years later, the event has expanded to 1,700 communities in all 50 states.