It's not often parachutists fall from the skies over the Dallastown Community Park.

But that's what will happen as the York Area Regional Police Department holds its National Night Out event Tuesday.

Members of the Maytown Sport Parachute Club are scheduled to descend upon the park at 6 p.m., said officer Peter Montgomery.

"They'll come down with American flags and the national anthem will be played," he said.

That's just part of the department's fourth annual event, which starts at 5 p.m. when police officers will take on firefighters in a softball game.

Horse rides will be offered, children can take on a climbing wall, check out animals at a petting zoo and try their hand at a Power Wheels driving course, among other planned activities. The event ends at 8:30 p.m.

Night out: York Area Regional is just one of a number of police departments and community organizations that will put on events during 29th annual National Night Out, which strives to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and to support law enforcement efforts.

"We want to really connect positively with the public," Montgomery. "It's our way of giving something back."

The West York Block Watch will hold its event at Shelly Park on North Highland Avenue from 6 to 8 p.m., said Deb Anderson, block watch president.

Children will be able to check out a police car, and an officer will be on hand to take questions. Youth can also play carnival-style games for candy prizes, and block watch members will sell food, including a meal of a hot dog, a bag of chips and a soda for $1.

Proceeds are used to hold future National Night Out events, Anderson said.

Here's a look at some of the other National Night Out events to be held across York County:

-- York City residents can participate by locking their doors, turning on outside lights and spending the night outside with their neighbors and police. Many neighborhoods will have block parties, cookouts, food and games.

The York City Police Department's Community Services staff and York City Fire/Rescue officials will be out with McGruff from 6 to 9 p.m.

-- The Carroll Township Police Department will hold its event at Logan Park, located at 172 Logan Road, for residents of Carroll and Monaghan townships and Dillsburg from 5 to 9 p.m. Activities include an old-time, family-style cookout, exhibits by local police and fire departments and prizes will be given.

-- The Northern York County Regional Police Department will hold a National Night Out event at the Dover Fire Department, located at 30 E. Canal St. in Dover, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Officers will host a community cookout with exhibits from the York County Quick Response Team, the York County Department of Emergency Services and local fire departments and businesses. York Revolution mascot "Downtown" will also make an appearance.

Attendees can also attempt to dunk police Chief Mark Bentzel and York County District Attorney Tom Kearney in a dunk tank. Proceeds from the dunk tank and collected non-perishable food donations will go to the Dover Area Food Bank.

-- From 6 to 8 p.m., Spring Garden Township will host its event at Elmwood Park, located in the 1700 block of Third Avenue.

Residents can meet township officials and enjoy food, fun and games.

- Reach Greg Gross at ggross@yorkdispatch.com.