Rock Around the Block

With warmer temperatures comes fun in the sun. What better way to soak up some extra Vitamin D than to plan a get-together with your fellow neighbors? If the idea of organizing a large event feels daunting, don’t worry! Here are seven easy steps to organizing a great block party.

• Check out the city’s requirements- Do you need a permit or special license to hold a large outdoor event? What are the rules on grilling location or street barriers to block off the gathering area? Contact your local office to find out what’s okay and what’s not before setting up the event.
• Location- The best place to set up the event is at a house halfway between each end of the block. According to www.SheKnows.com, “If the party location is perceived to be too far from home, people may not attend or might feel they're not comfortable at the opposite end of the street.” If a cul-de-sac is present close to the halfway point, that’s even better. It will minimize any concerns about kids and through traffic on a regular street.
• Enlist help- Kansas City mom Desiree Leeper has experience organizing a block party. Her start-up advice: “Get at least two committed neighbors to help and set a date.” Delegate duties so that the burden doesn’t rest solely on you. One neighbor can make the fliers. Others can supply folding chairs and tables.
• Ensure safety and protect against liability- Some neighbors may be hesitant to sign up to help or host due to the concern of accident liability on their property.  To ease the worry, have participating neighbors sign a waiver. It’s also a good idea to go over any areas in the front or backyards that could be a potential safety hazard, such as loose stepping stones, hoses on the ground, etc.
• Go door to door- Now that you’ve got the basics figured out, it’s time to introduce yourself (if you haven’t already) and inform neighbors of the event. In the article “How to Throw a Block Party” on www.TasteOfHome.com, the author recommends taking a clipboard with a sign-up sheet to record family name, address, phone number, how many people will attend, names and ages of children and whether they’d be interested in helping provide chairs, tables, etc. Don’t forget to bring the fliers and waivers so that you can get it all done at once.
• Food- Mom of three Tracie Richmond Fobes says, “When we had ours, we didn't want everyone bringing the same thing. So, we had the odd house numbers bring a dessert and the evens bring a side/salad. It worked out perfectly, as we had a really good mix of items.”
• Fun- Tonganoxie mom Brooke Sonntag suggests inviting local firemen to the event with the fire truck to demonstrate sirens and lights for the kids. Water balloon tosses and egg races are examples of simple games that can be a lot of fun for kids, as well as adults. It’s best to brainstorm with your volunteers based on the age ranges of the children attending the event.

With this checklist, you’ll be on your way to block party success in no time. Now get out there and mingle!

Jennifer Bosse lives in Kansas City with her husband and two kids. She is currently planning a block party of her own.