Free bowling, pizza and movies for Ritzville’s National Night Out

RITZVILLE— Ritzville’s National Night Out will look a little different this year, said Ritzville Police Chief Mike Suniga. 

“This year, we’re going to rent out the local bowling alley, and we’ll have bowling and free pizza,” Suniga said. “And we’re finalizing a movie at the Ritz Theater next door.”

The segment of Main Avenue in front of the theater and bowling alley will be blocked off for displays of fire trucks, ambulances and police cars, Suniga said. The bowling will take place in the evening, and the movie will be shown the next morning.

This is Suniga’s second year as chief hosting a National Night Out, he said. Last year’s event was held at the city park. This year’s event was funded through a grant from Big Bend Electric, Suniga said.

It wasn’t clear Wednesday which movie would be shown. Suniga said several of his first choices were unavailable due to issues with obtaining the rights. Whatever film is selected will be rated PG, he said.

The bowling alley, which had been closed down for a number of years, reopened last summer under new ownership as Bronco Lanes, according to its social media.

“It’s up and running, and it’s been very good in our community,” Suniga said.

Ritzville is the only community in Adams County holding a National Night Out this year. The other city with a municipal police department, Othello, held them in the past but having had two new chiefs in less than a year, Chief Brent McFarlane said it just wouldn’t be feasible this year. He expressed hope that Othello could resume National Night Out at some time in the future.

National Night Out began in 1970 as a local event in a Philadelphia suburb, according to the event’s website, and became a national event in 1984. Today, about 17,000 communities participate, according to the website.

“It allows people to interact with officers in a different setting from what they would (ordinarily),” Suniga said. “It’s really good to get out there and interact with everybody and get to know your neighbors and have a good time.

Ritzville National Night Out

5-8 p.m. Aug. 4 at Bronco Lanes, 119 E. Main Ave.

8 a.m. Aug. 5 at Ritz Theater. 107 E. Main Ave.

    Ritzville’s National Night Out event will include free bowling and pizza at Bronco Lanes, followed the next day by a free movie at the Ritz Theater.