Block Party 2.0

Throwing a block party is a great way to get to know your neighbors. Just ask York from Chicago.

York has lived on the same block almost his entire life -- nearly 40 years -- but, as his wife teased him, he didn't really know his neighbors. One big reason is that York lives on a block near Lake Michigan that primarily is home to condo buildings, rather than the single-family bungalows or three-story greystones and A-frame homes that characterize many Chicago neighborhoods. Without a front stoop, or even their own front doors, neighbors can easily become invisible to one another.

When York became president of his neighborhood group, he realized how much easier it is to solve community problems if you know your neighbors. He decided to throw a block party after talking to the staff at his local alderman's office to see what was entailed.

York's block party was a huge success, attracting about 200 people from his block. This Instructable recreates how he turned those strangers into neighbors.

Step 1 Organize a team of 10 to 12 volunteers

In early May, York posted a flyer in his neighborhood, calling for volunteers to help organize a block party. He initially attracted a group of about 7 or 8 enthusiastic individuals, and word-of-mouth grew the group to his target number of 12.

You may want to organize your volunteers into committees, by task. Here are four basic committees every block party needs:

publicity
food and drinks
entertainment
set up and clean up

Comments

[JohnJY]

 I hate the people who live near me, but this is a great Instructable.