An Old Fashion Block Party

It used to be that neighbors knew each other for blocks on end. I grew up in such a small town, I think I knew everyone in it. To throw a block party, all you had to do was put some picnic tables and folding chairs in your yard, start the grill, and send the kids around to ring doorbells, and poof – instant party. There was usually very little planning because everyone always had the staples on hand for a party: potato salad, hamburgers, hotdogs, pickles, chips and dip, ice cream, pop, and lemonade. Most of the ladies in town even kept the necessary ingredients on the shelf to make their famous Jell-O mold, fruit salad, pretzel salad, or apple pie.

Kids were used to playing outside so there was never a shortage of things to do: play tag, red rover, and hide-n-seek in the neighbor’s yards, build a castle in the sandbox, start a game of backyard baseball, throw a game of catch, or pick dandelions and little purple flowers to make a bouquet for mom. Few neighborhoods still look like those days of yore. Neighbors know each other by name. Their kids play together, moms walk in groups in the mornings, and you know whose house to go to when you need to borrow a cup of sugar.

I was curious what it takes to put together a block party these days so I met a friend for lunch who is one of those very involved neighbors and mothers who is on every committee and can be found heading up every event team. Of course she was planning their annual summer block party (it’s February) because you have to start now if it’s going to be a success. Here are some of the details I learned from her that day.

The date has to be scheduled well in advance. The committee tries to keep it on roughly the same Saturday every year so it can be anticipated by the whole neighborhood. Invitations go out just after the new year so they don’t get lost in the holiday hustle. A theme is selected and the team starts the hunt for bargain decorations as soon as this year’s party is over. Because they close the street to keep the kids safe, my friend applies for a permit with their city. When she does this, the city drops off barricades and trash cans as part of their permit fee.

Another neighbor sets up the registration page where each household can indicate how many people are coming, what dish they are bringing, and pay their family fee. A small fee is charged to cover the decorations, the permit, and basic things like tablecloths, plates, and plasticware, as well as some type of entertainment.

Another neighbor is in charge of coordinating the entertainment. Over the years it has included: inflatables, pony rides, face painting, small local bands, comedians, carnival games, water games, a DJ, contests, giveaways, and raffles.

In years past the committee has offered to supply meat like hamburgers and hotdogs, but over time, people’s pallets have changed, so many are now gluten-free or vegetarian, or are on some type of diet that it became too much of a hassle. Now families bring their own mains and a dish to pass.

Several ladies come together the day before the party to set up tents, decorate, and prepare the various spaces. The morning of the party, men help put the barricades in place dropped of by the city. By mid-morning, neighbors start to show up and the festivities begin lasting long into the night. This has been going on for several years now and has allowed them to build some really great friendships. At the end of the night, everyone pitches in to clean up and the next day, several people help take down the tents and move tables.

Planning a good ole’ fashioned block party is not quite as simple as it used to be. I was surprised at the permit process for a party like this, but it’s convenient that the city drops off and picks up barricades for you. I can’t remember the last time I went to a block party. I’ve lived in a townhouse for 25 years. I’m lucky to see a neighbor at all. Everyone is very private and keeps to themselves; they drive in, open the garage door, park, and while they get out of the car, the door is already going down. No chance for pleasantries. Once in a while it would be nice to know the names of my neighbors instead of the ones I make up for them as they move in and out.

Does your neighborhood plan a block party? Do you create a registration page? How do you know who’s coming? Share one thing here you’ve encountered that we need to
watch out for or send me an email!

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Do you work with a volunteer team to accomplish your block party or local events? Check out my book “Cultivating a Healthy Volunteer Team” for tidbits to help your team operate at its best. Pick up your copy at tracybaer.com!