DATE: Saturday, August 2, 1997              TAG: 9708020326

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Briefs 

                                            LENGTH:   69 lines

HAMPTON ROADS [BRIEFS]

City hopes for good participation in National Night Out

About 175 cars in two motorcades will travel the city's neighborhoods Tuesday night to demonstrate police and citizen commitment to fighting crime.

Last year, the city was named a ``National Award Winner,'' ranking 10th in its population category for participation in the annual National Night Out campaign.

About 1,000 people participated.

The Portsmouth Police Department and Crime Prevention Steering Committee hopes for even greater numbers this year.

The motorcades will line up at 5 p.m. at the NSU-ODU (Norfolk State University-Old Dominion University) building on George Washington Highway and at the Cavalier Manor Center, 404 Viking St.

The motorcades are scheduled to meet at about 6 p.m. at the National Night Out headquarters at Tower Mall, in the 4000 block of Victory Blvd.

This year's activities include a train exhibit by members of the Tidewater Division of the National Model Railroad Association.

Firefighters will demonstrate fire safety through the department's Mobile Safety House.

There will be a moonwalk for children, and entertainment will be provided by Young Country Band, Best Body Company, Hole Shot, 11'Na, PX-3 Pan Players and dancers and David Rolson.

Meanwhile, a Brighton church will observe National Night Out by inviting people to the church for a night that promotes closer relationships among neighbors.

Brighton Rock AMEZ Church will serve hot dogs, hamburgers and other refreshments and will give people a chance to get together and talk about the issues affecting their community.

The event will begin at 6 p.m.

For more information on the citywide observance, call Betty Wright at 558-2824.

For more information on Brighton Rock's activities, call the Rev. Clifford Barnett at 393-0570.

NORFOLK

Barraud Park celebrates< history today with reunion<

Barraud Park, which was developed in the 1920s so African Americans could have a recreational center in then-segregated Norfolk, will have a fourth annual celebration of its history today.

Its organizers have touted the day as a chance for ``fellowship, love, recognition and information sharing,'' and hope people from all neighboring communities will attend.

``The main thing is to bring the people together,'' said Irene Pitchford, a member of the committee that organized the reunion and a Barraud Park neighborhood resident ``for as long as I can remember.''

Though everyone is invited, Pitchford said the reunion is a special day for which people return to Norfolk from as far away as New York.

``At one time Barraud was the only place where black people could go,'' Pitchford said. ``It was a close-knit neighborhood that was all black. We're all coming back to see each other again.''

The gathering begins at 2 p.m. at the city park. It is for all ages and is open to everyone.

ALSO. . .

Chesapeake - Mayor William E. Ward has proclaimed August as Sickle Cell Anemia Disease Research Awareness Month. Sickle cell anemia has no cure, and can lead to strokes, heart or kidney failure, and shortened life expectancy, according to the proclamation. In it, Ward urges city residents to support the Keon Paschal Perry Inc. Disease Research Campaign.

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