We got a question from Linda today, we thought maybe some neighbors could help answer:
I’d love to hear from people that have organized a block party. How did you get people involved? Did you have to notify the city to block off the street, etc?
Whatever the answer and whatever the block, we want an invite!
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All the info for organizing the ‘official’ city-wide block party in August is here:
http://www.seattle.gov/police/Nightout/default.htm
Our block is mostly families with kids, so we just walk the block, say hi, then go home.
We are on Latona, between 47th & 50th, so blocking off the street isn’t an option for us. One year we had a progressive BBQ, at 1/2 hour segments at 6 different host houses and a trailing wagon of beverages. Worked out really well and was a lot of fun!
Here’s a link to complement Heidi’s. It contains directions for doing one anytime:
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/stuse_blockparty.htm
Our block (3800 Bagley) has a block party the first Tuesday of August (the offical Seattle night out). We make a little flier and hand deliver it to all the nieghbors, though most of them know it’s coming anyway. We block off the street with the yard waste bins, drag BBQs into the street and grill, or sometimes just have potluck dessert. Depends which neighbor organizes. If you register with the city you can request that the fire truck comes to your block party. They do their best to get to all of them. Last year a very kind fire chief came to our party and let the kids try on his gear, turn on his lights, etc. Tons of fun for the kids, and the adults enjoyed the chance to chat.
For those that think they might want to host a block party, I have the following tips:
(1) Think annual. Do it this year, but count on doing it next year too. A block party may be uncomfortable at first, but will grow over time to be part of what makes your neighborhood a great place to live.
(2) Choose a good date. Don’t schedule on holidays or near the beginning or end of the school year. Many people schedule vacations in August. I find that June works well.
(3) Stick with your date. If the party is on the same weekend every year, people will begin to plan around it.
(4) Start with critical mass. Get at least 3 other neighbors in on the action before you make any announcements. This helps to share the burden of planning, and insures that even if your advertising bombs, it will still look like a party in the street, and neighbors that didn’t pay attention will wish they had.
(5) Involve the talents of your neighbors. If they cook, awesome. If they paint, have them put their art out on easels. If they crochet, bring a display table out. In our neighborhood, lots of us play music. We set up a PA every year, and have as many as a dozen different performances.
(6) Advertise like crazy. Start a month ahead of time if possible. Call or write the people you know. Make up flyers to put in the mailboxes of those people you don’t know.
(7) Obtain a permit if necessary. The main reason for having a permit is to legally close your street. We host our block party in the alley, so we’ve never applied for a permit. You can read more about city block party permits here: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/stuse_blockparty.htm.
Good luck with your block party! It’s a great way to get connected with your neighbors and your neighborhood.
Sunnyside (and Eastern) at 46th will be having their 2nd annual block party on that first Tuesday of August. Okay, so now it’s official. I’d better start planning. Gotta run!