Block Party

Permits, planning, and other steps in throwing a block party

Hosting a barbecue has long been a favorite way to meet neighbors and socialize with them. If you want to hold a bigger shindig, however, a block party is the way to go.

As the name suggests, a block party encompasses a larger neighborhood than just a few houses. It's not uncommon for these events to barricade the ends of the street and bring in some big attractions, such as bouncy houses, live music, and family-friendly games and competitions.

A block party is rarely a casual undertaking. It requires a good deal of planning, and often some financial investment as well. But the end result is often a fun, memorable get-together that helps improve neighborhood camaraderie.

Decide when you'd like to hold a block party. Anne Colby, writing for the home design site Houzz, says weekday nights or weekends in the summer and autumn will often work best. These seasons tend to have pleasant enough weather to hold an outdoor gathering.

You may want to try out a smaller event before launching a full block party. Invite a few neighbors over for a barbecue or potluck. This event can be casual, but will also give you some sense of the planning that will go into a larger gathering.

This dry run may also be a good way to get some help in planning a block party. Getting a few neighbors together will allow you to form a committee, which can meet regularly to come up with ideas for the party and divide up the necessary tasks and purchases.

Allow plenty of time to put the block party together. The BEST Neighborhoods Program of Plano, Texas, recommends at least four to six weeks of planning before the event. Donna Pilato, writing for the home design site The Spruce, says giving yourself three months to plan will let you delegate responsibilities, acquire any necessary permits, and otherwise effectively organize the party.

Start be deciding on some basic aspects of the party. Set the date, as well as a rain date in case of inclement weather. Building Blocks, a block party resource from the South Dakota Synod, says you'll also need to decide how extensive the party should be. Some neighborhoods have distinct boundaries, such as a set of houses on a dead-end street; others will require you to decide how many people to invite. For location, you may choose one residence or a series of homes to share hosting responsibilities.

Block parties will often shut down their street for the celebration, or possibly set up in a nearby park. However, doing so will usually require a permit. You may also need a permit for certain party features, such as using sound amplifying equipment and serving alcohol.

Check with local officials to see what permits you'll need as well as any costs associated with them. Colby says you'll also want to find out how long the permit processes will take so you leave enough time to get these permissions.

Decide what activities you'd like to feature at the party. Some options include music, lawn games, competitions such as a water balloon toss or obstacle course, and children's attractions like a balloon artist or magic show. Check with your local fire and police departments to see if they'd like to visit; they'll often be glad to stop by to do safety demonstration or offer tours of an emergency vehicle.

Make sure you aren't overlooking anything. Pilato says you may need to rent portable toilets, especially if you are holding the event in a park or other area without bathroom facilities. Other useful items include nametags, garbage cans, coolers for drinks, and a bullhorn to announce activities.

Renting equipment and hiring entertainers can start to ramp up the party's costs, so you'll need to decide how to split up these expenses. Trent Hamm, writing for the budgeting site The Simple Dollar, says you can keep costs down by borrow-

ing equipment and having people volunteer their services. Attendees are often asked to provide side dishes, desserts, and beverages while the block party committee arranges for a main course such as grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken.

Send out invitations about a month before the party. Colby says you’ll want to include the date, rain date, contact person, and items you’re requesting people to bring. People may be curious to know if they can bring friends, relatives, or other people, so include a note on whether the party is for residents only or if it can bring in more people. Also stipulate whether pets are welcome or should be left at home.

There are plenty of other ways you can make people aware of the event as well. The BEST Neighborhoods Program says these include flyers, door hangers, social media such as Facebook or Nextdoor, e-mail or phone trees, or simply visiting your neighbors in person.

Consider adding a check-in station. This can be a good way to distribute nametags, arrange food dishes, and collect contact information for people in the neighborhood.

Setting an end time can help wind the party down and leave enough time for cleanup. Make sure people collect any food, dishes, or other items they brought, and ask for volunteers to help pack away any trash from the event.