Organizers say Pembroke’s Night Out this weekend will be better than ever, if the weather cooperates.

But if it doesn’t, they’ve already got a makeup date set — that’s  Aug. 16, also a Saturday.

The city will decide Friday afternoon whether to postpone the event, which is currently set for 5-8 p.m. Saturday at DuBois Square, if the weather prognosis worsens.

And that could happen. Forecasts say there’s a 70 percent chance of rain Saturday.

But regardless of when it’s held, Downtown Development Authority Director Sharroll Fanslau said the city’s Night Out “promises to be even better than in previous years.”

“This year, thank you to the hard work of the (police and fire departments and the city), we have managed to secure not only public safety vehicles and demos, but Fort Stewart will be demonstrating their ‘smoke house’ for safety, a working dog and a static display,” Fanslau said.

The event in Pembroke is one of thousands around the country promoting police-community partnerships as “Nights Out” against crime. The first National Night Out was held in 1984 when some 2.5 million people in 400 communities and 25 states took part in the NNOs. They generally take place in early August, and Richmond Hill’s is Thursday at J.F. Gregory Park, where thousands are expected to attend.

And though the Nights Out have become something of a city celebration and a chance for law enforcement to connect with residents, it retains its focus on stopping crime, Pembroke Mayor Mary Warnell said.

“Last year and this year our Public Safety Department, including both our police and fire departments, has worked on keeping Pembroke Night Out focused on personal and community safety and crime prevention,” she said.

Pembroke’s Night Out is sponsored by the city’s police and fire departments and their respective auxiliaries.

It will end with the event’s traditional community unity walk — in Pembroke this year it will be down Ledford Street through Miller Village, Warnell said.

“We are committed to making our city a safe environment for our citizens,” she said.

Pembroke residents can also expect to find everything from a bounce house and dunk tank to a basketball shooting contest, free hot dogs and soft drinks and more at the event.

“It just keeps going,” Fanslau said. “There are also lots of opportunities to purchase chances to win items from gas cards to a new computer.”

For more information about Pembroke’s Night Out call 653-5554 or 653-4409.