5 Tips for a Fantastic Block Party

Every year my neighbors organize a Summer block party at the end of our street. It’s always a great way to catch up with neighbors who (like me and my family) have been hiding inside all winter long. Growing up, my neighborhood had a block party every summer too, so it’s wonderful that my kids now live in a neighborhood that has the same tradition.

I was thinking this morning about the block parties we have now and the ones I went to growing up and thought I’d share some ways to make a block party a great success! Here are the basics:

1. Put invitations in everyone’s mailbox inviting them to attend. Set a specific date and time and pick an area on the street where you will be meeting. You can choose a representative on the street to keep track of RSVPs or just hope for good attendance. (I’d track RSVPs) Put a rain date on the invitation as well!
2. Ask everyone to bring a dish for dinner or lunch that is big enough to share. Split up the street and ask people to bring different dishes based on where their house is on the street– for example, the first 5 houses should bring a side, the second 5 a dessert, etc. That way, you’ll get a nice well rounded meal!
3. Don’t forget tables and chairs. Ask people to bring folding chairs and tables (you may want tables an hour or so before the event) to the party area. Or tell people to bring blankets to sit on.
4. Think of (fun and free) activities for the kids!
   1. You might not know, but many local police/fire stations are happy to bring out a fire truck, ambulance and/or police car for the kids to check out at the party. If you’re lucky, they may even do a display of how the hoses on the fire truck work or let the kids climb on the trucks!
   2. Ask all the kids to decorate their bikes and have a parade down the street. They’ll be kept busy decorating and they will love the attention during the show! Don’t forget your camera!
   3. Have a neighbor set up a sprinkler for the kids. Need I say more?
5. Close the street! When you contact the police/fire, be sure to let them know the date of your block party. They may be able to block off the entrance to your street (or at least allow you to!) so that you can walk without worrying about oncoming cars.

That’s all you need! So, whether you have your event on the 4^th of July or a random Saturday in August, enjoy some nice weather, nice neighbors and lots of good food!

-Amy