Block Party
Guess who has volunteered to help plan her neighborhood's block party?! We moved here May 1 and I had heard from the neighbors that our street had a block party this year. Each section takes turns: one year it's the 100 block, the next year the 200 block, and so on. I kept saying to anyone who would listen, "Let me know, I'm a joiner!"
Well, now it's here, and I am teaming up with two neighbors across the street to plan.
MY DUTIES
My job was to get the petition signed so we can close the street. I got everyone's signatures except the two houses at the end of the street. I have NEVER seen anyone come out of either house, and most people don't seem to know the owners, either. Isn't that strange? There always seems to be a few houses like that in every neighborhood, right?
I'm also in charge of food. They usually get a local burger place to do it, but I asked Mark if, as a loss leader, would his restaurant do something. He agreed it would be fun to help. So, Campanile is doing its grilled cheese sandwiches - which they are pretty famous for, I have to say. Then I will need to get to Smart & Final to buy a bunch of drinks and get ice, etc.
They were thinking of doing it right before the election, but as that's right after Halloween and I might go to Florida, we moved it to a week later.
MY QUESTIONS
If anyone has ever done block parties, here are my questions:
1. We are charging $25 a head for adults, $15 for kids. This includes a bounce house and all that kid stuff and food. Some neighbors say I should ask people to bring a pie or something else to share, to round it out. Is that okay if there is a charge? I think so, because it's festive, it's a party.
2. How many people buy tickets beforehand and how many show up day-of? Gotta plan the food and drinks.
Having lived as the lone ranger, single in an apartment for most of my adult life, I'm so excited to live in an area that has such folksy traditions. Party on!
Daphne, our neighborhood has them every end of summer. We get a form on our door a few weeks before the event. We RSVP with our names and house number on the form and include a check or cash returned to the block captain. It's usually $5 per family member to cover the main dish expense (usually BBQ) and then each family brings a side dish assigned by the block captain. It's always BYOB. Our block never get the bounce house to save expenses. The block one street over does but they are a much higher income block. We bring out balls and bikes and skates and jump ropes and sidewalk chalk for the kids or items from the dollar store that everyone can play with. The adults talk or play cards. Then when night falls we light sparklers or set off fireworks. It's simple, but fun and it really brings us all closer. I hope you enjoy the experience!