The biggest party of the year happens in Suffolk Tuesday, and thousands of Suffolk friends, families and neighbors will be getting together in their respective neighborhoods to help present a united front against crime.

National Night Out in Suffolk has grown from a few small gatherings to dozens of events all over the city. Sponsored nationally by the National Association of Town Watch, the event encourages citizens to lock their doors and get outside to get to know their neighbors and law enforcement officers that patrol their area.

Prior to the official kick-off, a Unity Parade will take place starting at Market Park, across from the Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum, 326 N. Main St. Organized by the Community Action Coalition of Suffolk VA and Suffolk Clergy United, all are invited to participate in the parade. It will begin about 4:45 p.m. and end at the visitor center, and the police will escort the parade and close the street.

National Night Out kicks off at 5:30 p.m. at the Suffolk Visitor Center Pavilion, 524 N. Main St. Local elected officials and public safety leaders will speak.

Following the kickoff, officials, committee members and judges will visit the different communities to greet participants at the block parties, cookouts and mini-festivals across the city.

National Night Out in Suffolk has been nationally recognized. It has ranked in the top five in its population group for the last 10 straight years and was named first in its population group three times. The nationwide judging takes place based on a video and notebook of documents related to the event. Community judges also award certificates to neighborhood-level celebrations based on attendance, activities, theme, publicity and more.

To find a community party near you, check the below list, which includes times and some details on planned activities, or visit www.suffolknno.com.

• National Night Out at Obici and Health Fair — King’s Fork Middle School, 350 Kings Fork Road: This celebration combines many communities surrounding the hospital in the King’s Fork school district and will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. A free health fair, games, puppet show, Peanut City Cloggers, U.S. Army TRADOC Band and more. Participating communities and groups include Applewood Farms, Berkshire Meadows, Burnett’s Mill, East End Baptist Church, Fairways Crossing, Hillpoint, Joe Bagley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2582, Kensington Park, Kings Landing Apartments, Lakes Edge, Nansemond Gardens, Riverbend Church, Riverwood, River Bluff, Sentara Obici Hospital, Suffolk Elks Lodge, Suffolk Humane Society, Suffolk Family YMCA, Suffolk Public Schools, The Experience Church, Virginia Legal Aid Society, The Vistas and Wexford Downs.
• Greater Oakland and Chuckatuck Civic League — 300 Kings Highway, 6-9 p.m.; combined event for surrounding communities with petting zoo, basketball, cornhole, free school supplies and more.
• Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority — All SRHA communities will gather at 530 E. Pinner St. from 5:30 to 9 p.m. for food, music, games and entertainment.
• Burbage Grant Neighborhood Watch — 6815 Burbage Lake Circle, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
• Chick-fil-A, 6212 College Drive — Super Hero Night. Children in costume encouraged.
• College Square — 4601 Brookwood Court, 6-8 p.m.
• Commons at Centerbrooke — 1056 Centerbrooke Lane, 5-7:30 p.m.; potluck social
• East Suffolk Gardens Civic League — 511 Reid Court, 5-8 p.m.; block party picnic
• Hall Place and Suffolk Church of God— Suffolk Church of God, 205 Kilby Ave., 6-8 p.m.; school supply drive and more
• Hampton Roads Crossing Apartments — 2019 Barclay Ave., 5:30-8 p.m.; pool party for residents, ice cream social
• Hampton Roads Crossing Condominium Association — 5220 Moreland St., 6-8 p.m.; cookout
• Harbour Breeze Estates Phase 2 — 6005 Mainsail Lane, 6-8 p.m.; block party and cookout
• Harbour Breeze Lifestyle Apartments — 3900 Breezeport Way, 6-8 p.m.; food and swimming for residents
• Hilton Garden Inn Harbourview — 5921 Harbourview Blvd., 6-8 p.m.; hotdogs, sundae bar, dancing and games
• Hollywood/Jericho Civic League — 2001 Arizona Ave., 4-8 p.m.; cookout and fish fry
• Huntersville — field at Freeman Avenue, 6-8 p.m.; food and children’s activities
• Kingsboro Civic League — 321 E. Constance Road; cookout and acoustic entertainment
• King’s Fork Farms Homeowners’ Association — 5125 Kings Grant, 6-8 p.m.; healthy food, bicycle rodeo
• Lake Kennedy Civic League — 1300 Blythewood Lane, 6-8 p.m.; refreshments, musical performances
• Orlando Civic League, Greater First Baptist Church Orlando — 600 Factory St., 7-8 p.m.; cookout and children’s events
• Saratoga/Philadelphia Civic League — 724 Brook Ave., 5-9 p.m.; music, motivational speakers, Robinson C.H.O.I.C.E. Program and more
• South Suffolk/Pleasant Hill Civic Association — 220 Hunter St., 6-8 p.m.; food and fun
• Suffolk Barber and Beauty — corner of East Washington and Commerce streets, 6-9 p.m.; food, games, music
• Suffolk Inner-City Athletic Association — JFK Athletic Field, 6-8 p.m.; cookout, meet and greet with teams and parents
• Tynes/Spruce Street communities — 151 Tynes St., 6-8 p.m.; old-fashioned fun and games
• West End/Lakeside Civic League — median along Linden Avenue, 6-8 p.m.; neighborhood block party, food, games
• Whaleyville Ruritan Club — 6235 Whaleyville Blvd., 6-8 p.m.; games, food, children’s activities