Apex, Cary, Garner and Morrisville have canceled this evening’s National Night Out events due to weather.

The event, meant to increase awareness about community anti-crime efforts, is traditionally held on the first Tuesday in August throughout the country. But a forecast for rain has caused these four towns to call off their celebrations, possibly rescheduling them for the fall..

As of Tuesday afternoon, Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh and Wake Forest expect to host their National Night Out events despite weather.

As part of National Night Out, an annual nation-wide event that began in 1984, communities are asked to turn on outdoor lighting and spend the evening outside, learning about community safety and crime prevention. The sponsors, the National Association of Town Watch, suggests activities such as neighborhood cookouts, flashlight walks, vigils and visits from police officers.

Apex, Cary, Garner and Morrisville have canceled their larger events – many of which were expected to take place in Target parking lots, with vendors and a wide array of town safety demonstrations. But individual neighborhoods and smaller communities within the towns may decide to host their own events if weather permits.

Apex Garner, and Morrisville officials are not yet sure when they will host their Night Out; Cary expects to have an event between the end of September and early October.