Serious question: how many of your neighbours do you actually know, by name? There's no better time to foster those connections than with an epic block party that gets everyone involved. An investment in your neighbourhood's social fabric.
Planning Your Block Party: A Step-by-Step Guide
Start with permits:
Check with your local municipality about street closure permits. Trust us, handling this 4-6 weeks ahead will save you major headaches! If you don’t want to close your street, be sure to have safety staff set up, helping kids cross the street as they participate in activities
Create a planning committee:
Recruit 3-5 neighbours who can help divide responsibilities. Having point people for food, entertainment, safety, and cleanup makes everything run smoothly. Decide on a communication method that makes things easy for everyone - yes, group chats can get kind of annoying at times, but it’s a great way for people to stay connected leading up to the event
Set a rain date:
Weather happens! Having a backup date communicated from the start prevents disappointment and ensures your hard work doesn't go to waste.
Design a simple map:
Create a visual layout showing each station, activity area.
Front Yard Stations
Here's where the real community-building happens! Each household contributes something unique to the celebration.
Some of our favourite station ideas:
Craft Corner: Simple crafts using recyclable materials - perfect for younger kids
Hydration Station: Water, lemonade, and summer refreshments
Dance Party/Music: This is where the music will be blasting from
Water Works: Kiddie pools and water toys
Game Zone: Cornhole, giant Jenga, or sidewalk chalk contests
BBQ: Hot dogs, burgers, and a table of toppings
Photo Booth: A simple backdrop with props creates lasting memories
Entertainment That Brings Everyone Together
This is where we come in! Professional entertainment creates memorable moments that transform a good block party into an unforgettable one.
Pro Tip: Schedule entertainment for the middle of your event - not too early when people are still arriving, and not too late when families with young children might be heading home.
Our most popular block party entertainment options:
Safety First
Even with street closure permits, safety requires attention. Set up a volunteer schedule with bright vests at key entry points. Two-hour shifts keep it manageable!
Essential safety measures:
Visible barricades: Place at each end of the closed street
Volunteer crossing guards: Particularly important if your block connects to busy streets
First aid station: Designate a spot with basic supplies and someone with basic first aid knowledge
Communication plan: Establish how volunteers will communicate throughout the event
The Little Things That Make a Big Difference
Name tags: Simple stickers with names and house numbers help everyone connect
Welcome committee: Assign a few outgoing neighbors to greet newcomers
Online community bulletin board: Where neighbours can share services, items for sale, or upcoming events
Block directory: Collect email addresses to create a neighborhood contact list
Block parties do more than create fun - they build resilient communities that look out for each other.
Have you organized a block party before?
We'd love to hear your experiences in the comments!
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