Budget cuts notwithstanding, Escalon will once again join the many communities across the country to host National Night Out celebrations, with the Escalon edition running from 6 pm. to 9 m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

Sign-ups are being taken now for community and neighborhood groups looking to stage a street or block party.

"We will still do a caravan," Escalon Police Services Manager Dorothy Vandagriff said.

She has coordinated the National Night Out event for the past several years and said she is now taking sign ups for this year's celebration.

"Three people have asked about it already," Vandagriff noted, adding that she expects to have a few 'regulars' taking part, including a Mission Street gathering and a community potluck on Chianti.

During National Night Out, a caravan of police, fire, ambulance and city personnel typically make a brief stop at each of the scheduled neighborhood gatherings. One year, there were so many events dotting the community that officials broke up into two groups to make sure each gathering was visited.

Those interested in taking part can contact Vandagriff to get on the 'visitation list.' Call 838-7093 or email her at dvandagriff@cityofescalon.org.