CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Mayor’s Summer Night Lights Program began Monday night at the Kleeman Center on Cunningham Lane. The event provides youth a safe space to get outdoors in June and July. City Parks & Recreation Staff and Volunteers hold different activities with prizes and awards for young participants, as well as a DJ, motivational speakers, inflatables, and more.

The program started in 2012 to offer a safe place for families to have an enjoyable evening. Free food and fun activities are at all locations in the region throughout the summer.

“The Mayor’s Summer Night Lights is a program to bring kids of all ages together and give them fun, educational activities within their neighborhoods,” explained Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts. Mayor Pitts attended the kick-off event.

He expressed pride in the Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department for coordinating the event, as well as the organizations that sponsor it and come out every week to support it. The Mayor also acknowledged that the program is a perennial program and said that his administration is excited to continue the tradition this year. They are looking into ways to expand youth programs like the Mayor’s Summer Night Lights.

Sponsors of the event included Manna Café, the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library, Blue Star Families, and several other health and job-related organizations.

Laura Hoffman and Lisa Yancey of the Public Library say that the Mayor Summer Night Lights Program is a great way to reach out to the community about educational programs. The library offers community members summer reading programs, which are open to adults as well as kids of all ages.

Keyera Williams of Young Daughters and Sons of Destiny also says that the event gives their organization an opportunity to inform the community about suicide prevention and resources and community organizations that are available for those who may need help and don’t know where to look.

The Mayor’s Summer Night Lights program will continue throughout the summer at different locations throughout Clarksville, as seen on the schedule below. Citizens interested in volunteering with the Parks & Recreation Department are also encouraged to reach out and register to volunteer by calling the department at (931) 645-7476.

  • June 3 – Kleeman Center
  • June 5 – Lincoln Homes
  • June 10 – Summit Heights
  • June 12 – Bel-Aire Park
  • June 17 – Edith Pettus Park
  • June 19 – Dixon Park
  • June 24 – Lincoln Homes
  • June 26 – Caldwell Lane
  • July 1 – Chapel Street
  • July 8 – Summit Heights
  • July 10 – Dixon Park
  • July 15 – Caldwell Lane
  • July 17 – Bel Aire Park
  • July 22 – Edith Pettus Park
  • July 24 – Kleeman Center