In three days, police officers, firefighters and emergency service technicians will swarm City Beach Park, but don’t worry — it’s all for a good cause.

For the 16th consecutive year, Oak Harbor will put on its version of National Night Out from noon to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 3.

The event, which was celebrated in more than 10,000 communities throughout the 50 states, all U.S. territories and Canada last year, is done annually to draw neighbors closer together for crime reduction and increased safety.

Communities vary in their level of celebration, but Oak Harbor goes all out.

“Instead of doing a block party, we do a community party,” local event committee member Myron Brundage said.

Members of the Oak Harbor Police Department, Oak Harbor Fire Department, Island County Sherrif’s Office and Whidbey Island Naval Air Station security will be on hand to answer questions and perform demonstrations all day.

Some of the highlights will include a dive team mock rescue in the lagoon, a helicopter repel and a police and fire accident demonstration.

“It’s a great chance to get to know your neighbors and the local emergency personnel,” event committee member Terry Daugherty said.

To go along with the displays, more than 50 local clubs and organizations signed up to have product and informational booths at City Beach. It will also be a great opportunity for hungry people to come down and get a bite to eat, as 12 different food booths will be set up with eats ranging from lumpia and barbeque to shaved iced and kettle corn.

“It’s a great mix of the community,” Brundage said.

Numerous forms of entertainment will also be offered, including two live bands, “Old Time and Country Music” and “Incorporated,” who begin playing at 3:30 p.m.

A parade is set to start at 4:15 p.m., leaving from the firehouse on E. Whidbey Avenue, up to Midway Boulevard, down Pioneer Way and down to City Beach.

The ceremony officially kicks off at 5:30 p.m., when Oak Harbor Mayor Patty Cohen, Oak Harbor Police Chief Steve Almon, Oak Harbor Fire Chief Mark Soptich and Capt. Steve Black, commanding officer of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, speak about the meaning of National Night Out.

Oak Harbor’s event, which drew a record-setting 6,000 people last year, ranked 45th nationally in attendance.

Brundage said he hopes it will only get better this year.

“We’re trying to get the number even higher than we did before,” he said.

For more information on times of activities and the variety of booths that will be available, log on to www.ohnno.org.