Wallingford Block Parties

One of the drums we beat incessantly here at Wallyhood is “meet your neighbors” (see Go Out Front for our most recent screed). When neighbors know each other, it makes for a healthier, safer, happier place for all. That simple.

So we thought it timely to remind you that Seattle Night Out, the annual city-wide designated evening for block parties, is Tuesday, August 3rd this year. The city has more information on their web site on what all is involved, but here’s the short of it:

The program has been growing every year, with over 1,200 neighborhoods participating in 2009. This type of community participation is what makes Seattle a great place to live.

The event is a unique opportunity to bring your neighbors together, welcome new neighbors, talk about crime prevention and Block Watch efforts, and mainly just have a great time with food, music, games – whatever you want. The creativity we’ve seen of what neighborhoods come up with is amazing. Some gatherings are just a few households; others expand into large block parties.

You get to block off your street (unless it’s an arterial or there’s a bus line running through it), there’s no cost (except for the food and drink you bring) and your neighbors are cooler than you think. Go find out.

Feel free to use the comments section here to find out if your neighbors are planning one, or to connect with those who would like to.

(Photo by Phil H. Webber, from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer archives)