A full year of planning will culminate tonight in National Night Out 2009.

The city of Suffolk is holding its national title-defending celebration this evening. Events throughout the city will foster police and community partnerships to help fight crime on a yearlong basis.

“Events range from community cook-outs, block parties, live bands, outdoor movies, Peanut City Cloggers, gospel sings, parades, flashlight walks, homemade ice cream and much more,” Diana Klink, National Night Out committee chair, said.

National Night Out 2008 in Suffolk brought home a trophy for first in the nation in its population group (50,000 to 100,000). Each participant in each community tonight can help the city achieve its goal of first place once again in 2009.

Community leaders in dozens of neighborhoods throughout the city have planned activities tonight for neighbors to have fun and get to know each other and the police who protect their community. Each celebration will be judged by Suffolk teens for its participation, creativity and other criteria. The winning neighborhood receives bragging rights and the privilege of having the 2010 tours end at their location, with a grand entrance by police vehicles and fire trucks.

Below is a list of the participating communities and businesses:

4Applewood Farms

4Berkshire Meadows homeowners’ association

4Bethlehem Ruritan Club (including Christina Landing, River Point, Hunt Point Club, Kilby Shores, Barrett Acres, Oak Lane of Holy Neck, Bethlehem Court, Cove Point, Turlington Road, Maple Hill, Robin Lane, Brewers Meadow, Oak Ridge, Pineaire, Springfield, Reid Crossing, East Holland Road Business Corridor, Manning Bridge Road)

4Bettie Davis Village

4Burbage Grant

4Burnett’s Mill homeowners’ association

4Chick-Fil-A

4College Square

4Commons at Centerbrooke

4Duke Automotive

4East End Baptist Church

4East Suffolk Federated Civic League/Suffolk Steelers

4East Suffolk Gardens Civic League

4Firehouse Subs

4Hall Place Community Association

4Holland Community/Holy Neck

4Huntersville

4Kingsboro Civic League

4King’s Fork Farm Neighborhood

4Lake Kennedy Civic League

4Mike Duman Auto Sales

4Nansemond Gardens

4Olde Towne Civic League

4Point Harbour Civic League

4Pughsville Civic League

4Sadler Heights

4Saratoga/Philadelphia Civic League

4Spruce Street Community

4Starr Motors

4SRHA

4Westside Civic League (Boston/Williamstown)

4Whaleyville Ruritan Club

4Wilroy Baptist Church

4Wilson Pines Apartments

4Woodlake Community

For more information on tonight’s National Night Out events, call Diana Klink at 514-4104.