TARLTON, Ohio — The Saltcreek-Tarlton Volunteer Fire Department capped off National Night Out with a cookout, an inflatable obstacle course and a chance for residents to meet the firefighters, sheriff’s deputies and school staff who serve their community, the department said in a Facebook post.
The Aug. 4 gathering at the department’s Main Street firehouse was one of four National Night Out events held simultaneously across Pickaway County, alongside stops in Circleville, Ashville and Williamsport. Firefighters parked a fire engine and ambulance along the drive while volunteers grilled hot dogs and pork for the crowd that turned out.
The department thanked the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office and the Logan Elm Local School District for taking part, along with Tarlton Market IGA, Crosstown Creamery and Saltcreek Slice for donating food and support, according to the post. “Thank you to everyone who attended National night out, great turnout and great times again this year,” the department said.
National Night Out began in 1984 as a campaign of the National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit that developed the event to build stronger ties between law enforcement and the neighborhoods they serve. The first year drew about 2.5 million participants across 400 communities in 23 states; the event has since grown to an estimated 38 million people in more than 16,000 communities nationwide, held annually on the first Tuesday in August.
The Saltcreek-Tarlton department is an all-volunteer force operating two stations serving the Tarlton area of Saltcreek Township. Logan Elm Local Schools, which sent staff to the Tarlton event, was formed in 1957 through the merger of the former Pickaway, Washington and Saltcreek school districts and moved into a new PK-12 building in 2023.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Saltcreek-Tarlton Volunteer Fire Department.
