Marietta Police Department Annual Picnic Returns

MARIETTA, OH — Today the Marietta Police Department held its annual picnic at the Marietta Aquatic Center. Last year’s picnic was canceled due to COVID-19 so this year the department made sure to blow it out. The turnout was massive, the pool was packed, the weather was great. An exact headcount wasn’t available, but there were 200 boys prize tickets and 200 girls prize tickets given out, so the turnout could have easily topped 500. Kids from all around came out, many won bikes, hoverboards, and all different kinds of goodies.

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“A lot of smiles.”

This party came on the heels of Captain Aaron Nedeff being promoted to Police Chief Monday night. He said a good time was had by all. Nedeff made a point to give credit to the Marietta Ohio Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 12.

“They did a super job with it. Of course that pool party, they’ve been putting that on since the 1930s. Before it was only a picnic, but since 2006 they turned it into a pool party since the aquatic center has been built.”

He said back in the old days they didn’t give out bikes.

“They’d give out a silver dollar to 50 kids.”

Some of the prizes this year were donated. But a lot of them were bought by the FOP using money they raised over the past year through fundraisers.

Nedeff himself sat in the dunk tank and kids lined up for a chance to dunk the chief himself.

“One of the dispatchers at the department challenged me to do the dunk tank and I said why not?”

Nedeff said after a morning of sitting in the dunk tank he expects to see Marietta bringing home a lot of state championships in baseball and softball.

“Because those kids can throw!”

He said he always looks forward to the police picnic and has only missed one in the 21-years he’s been with the department.

“It’s really evolved, and it’s a really good chance to get out there and see everyone, talk to parents. Let the kids know we’re all happy people.”

Police families come out to the picnic and Nedeff said it’s important people see that the police officers are invested in the community.

“Our kids are here too, they’re going to your schools. Everything that happens to the community affects us.”

Chief Nedeff said they’re looking forward to next year.

“We’re going to sit down and talk about what went well, what could have gone better, we make adjustments every year. But it’s always the first Wednesday of August unless it rains then it’s pushed back a day.”

Kids 5-11 are eligible to win prizes, prize tickets can be picked up a week before the event.

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