Conference moira::parenting_v3

    We had a block party in our neighborhood for several years and it was
    always a real hit with everyone -- young and old alike.  Here's some of
    the things we did :
    
    - We borrowed picnic tables and gas grills from everyone who would donate
    them.  They were set up along the side of the street.  Everyone brought
    their own "main dish" (usually chicken, hot dogs, hamburger's,
    steak, etc) and a dish (either salad or desert) for the "share table."
    
    - The drinks (soda and beer) and huge bags of popcorn were provided.
    A group of people got together the night before the party to pop the
    popcorn and to paint signs.
    
    - We had lots of games for the kids.  Typical relay races, kickball,
    frisbee, etc.  Also a decorated bike and doll carriage parade.  This
    was fun, but some *parents* really went overboard in decorating for
    their kids.  We had prizes (ribbons) for different age categories. 
    *Every* child who participated in anything got a ribbon.
    
    - We had helium balloons.  A big hit with the little ones, but usually
    by the end of the night the teenagers were into inhaling the helium!!
    
    - A couple of years we had a pony ride.
    
    - A neighbor who did caligraphy always made nice name tags for
    everyone.
    
    - We set up a stereo in the "dance" area.  Be sure to have lots of
    different types of music to suite lots of different tastes.  Sometimes
    people made long playing tapes ahead of time to avoid the constant
    record changing.
    
    - We tried to remember to keep the teenagers busy too.  Planned some
    activities (volleyball, etc) and also had them help with the little
    kids games and giving out balloons. 
    
    - We had an electrician in the neighborhood who wired up spot lights
    along the street.
    
    - Be careful about blocking off the street -- we were never allowed to
    because of fire safety.  Instead we put up signs *asking* people to
    detour around (everyone always did) but were sure to leave one side of
    the street open.
    
    - To organize all this, we had a committee of about ten people.  They
    would pass out flyers to each family.  The families would fill out the
    return part indicating who was coming (so name tags could be made), if
    a picnic table and/or grill could be donated, if they would volunteer
    for a committee (popcorn and signs the night before, picking up tables
    and grills in the morning, or cleaning up the next day).
    
    I think I'd better stop now -- this could go on forever.  All-in-all,
    these parties were always a big success and were a nice opportunity for
    new neighbors to meet everyone.  We usually started the party in the
    early afternoon, and it never ended until after midnight.  Most of the
    little kids were gone by then but the parents could dance forever!
    
    Have fun!
    
                                                    Tracy
    

    Oops -- one more thing.  Each family donated $10 to cover the costs of
    the drinks, popcorn, sign materials, ribbons, cups, plates, napkins,
    placticwear, etc.
    
                                        Tracy

    We had a neighborhood party a few years ago, when most of the
    people in the neighborhood were new.  Most of it was pretty
    similar to what .1 said, so I'll just mention a few extras and
    differences. 
    
    I think each family contributed $5, but we didn't have name tags
    or helium balloons or a lot of extras like that.  Mostly we just
    sat around and talked while the kids played games.  We asked each
    person to bring something for the share table and something to
    eat with or from (a pack of paper plates, napkins, etc.)  The
    money went mostly for the beverages and a couple of HUGE
    watermelons.  
    
    For music, one of the neighbors brought a LARGE stereo system and
    set it up on the lawn of the nearest house.  Everybody brought
    their favorite tape.  We had everything from Def Leppard to Patti
    Page.  
    
    We had a half a keg of beer (for about 25-30 adults) and sixty
    jillion cans of soda. 
    
    The party took place on a cul-de-sac, so we could sort of block it
    off.  But there had to be room for an emergency vehicle (read:
    fire truck) to get through if necessary.
    
    There was a scheduled water-balloon fight for the teenagers. 
    
    After we got most of the way through the keg, people started
    dancing.  Things went on late, and it was a lot of fun. 
    Unfortunately the family who arranged it moved and nobody else has
    had the time or inclination to take up the slack. 
    
    --bonnie

    Our neighborhood has had a clam bake/block party every year since the
    homes were built (3rd one this year). We did get a caterer - best move
    because you don't have to cook or think to buy something. The people
    arranging the party had time to make up name tags (because we had new
    neighbors) and spend time to think about games and prizes. The cost was
    about $18-20 per person. Children didn't pay so long as they were only
    eating hot dogs or hamburgers. The adults had clams, lobsters, chicken,
    steak, etc. This was a real clam bake in the ground - unfortunately the
    last lot was just built so we've got to find someone to "donate" a
    piece of their yard this year. The cost also covered prizes for the
    kids - approximately 2 each. We played horse shoes, had adult games,
    kids brought their bikes, etc. Maybe just supply the makings for a
    "float" parade where the kids either decorate their bike, skateboard,
    doll carriage, etc.  
    
    The one thing we always did was to let the party take it's own course.
    We would eat first, play some games then let the kids do their own
    thing (ride bikes, etc). Trying to plan every minute of the event
    doesn't work. You spend more time acting as activities director then
    enjoying the event. Definitely keep it simple but have plenty of things
    to pull out of your hat. Since you are in your neighborhood you can
    easily run home for anything you or the kids need  or want. The adults
    maybe played one game and spent the rest of the time talking. The kids
    had each other to play with.
    
    We usually stayed in the street until it was dark and then managed to
    "borrow" someone house and that's when the kids get very embarassed at
    how their parents act. The first year the adults were doing flips off
    the picnic tables and last year it was fireworks. Who knows what this
    year will be like?? 
    
    The cost included the food and drink, prizes, rental of table and
    chairs and a tent in case it rained.
    
    Definitely semi-block off the street entrances. We used a coulpe saw 
    horses placed at an angle so only one car could get through and placed
    signs of "Caution: People and Children in the Street". It worked well. 
    Also, if you don't have a cul-de-sac, have the party half way down the
    street so if cars do come through, they have time to see the people and
    children and slow down. We even put another set of horses in the
    immediate area of the party so the cars had to stop there and wait to
    have it moved to get through.
    
    Make sure you get a group photo. I was official photographer at last
    years and everyone got a copy of the group photo in their Christmas
    card. They loved it and it keeps the interest alive for next year. 
    
    Have a great time most of all.
    
    Andrea 

    Ahhh...does this bring back memories.
    
    When we first moved to our home it was a brand new neighborhood and a
    way for all of us to meet was to have a block party.  There were about
    20 homes on the street and all-in-all about 120 people.  Personally we
    didn't want grills around - with so many kids we were afraid someone
    would inadvertantly run into one.
    
    I headed the committee and found that people wanted to make their own
    'special' dishes - which was fabulous because we had so many different
    ethnic family's it was better than any restaurant could ever dream of
    being.  Everyone brought either a main dish, salad, dessert or
    appetizers and then either paper plates, cups, napkins, soda, chips,
    condiments, ice, or silverware.  We had cases of beer and different
    people would donate coolers.  We literally had about 9 picnic tables
    set up - loaded with food that kept everyone full for lunch, supper and
    a mid-night snack.   
    
    The plan was to start congregating at noon - but everyone was so
    excited that we started setting up tables and chairs around 10:00 a.m.!
    We did have saw horses to block off the street - but a cruiser just
    happened (?) ... we lived on a dead end street...to come by.  Nothing 
    was said - BUT he did have a nice meal and got to talk to everyone.  
    Three homes had pools in the backyard and different people would 
    supervise the kids (and adults) during swim time...their was a 
    basketball net set up, volleyball, kickball, one of the neighbors had 
    a concert organ that they brought outside and someone played for about 
    2 hours - a stereo was hooked up outside and we literally danced outside 
    til around mid-night.  Everyone had their cameras and my kids STILL
    love looking at those pictures.  Not only does it bring back those
    fabulous memories but everyone of the kids is now either in college or
    married and it's fun to look back and see how things 'were'.  
    
    We did this three years in a row - til the street got so big that we
    couldn't do it anymore...but it was a wonderful, fun and memorable time
    for all of us.
    
    Have fun!
    
    Marilyn
    

    Depending upon the type of people in your neighborhood will probably
    determine which type of block party is right for you. In our
    neighborhood, most everyone was a working couple. We had only 3
    stay-at-home-moms. Because of that, most everyone was willing to pay
    for a caterer (who supplied everything - food, paper products, soda,
    etc) rather then spend the time coordinating all the details. Evaluate
    your neighborhood first to determine if you are going to spend
    excessive amounts of time organizing and coordinating only to find you
    probably had to do it all yourself (or by just the committee). A
    caterer might be best but there is something wonderful to be said about
    eating homemade baked beans outside. 
    
    Just a thought.
    
    Andrea

    re: .6
    
    That's a good point.  Our neighborhood was mostly young families
    who had just put everything they had into buying their first
    house, and none of us had any spare $$$$ for a party.  The $5 was
    pushing it a bit for some of us.  So we went for pot luck and
    whatever we could do for free.  
    
    We didn't have much time, either, which is why we didn't have much
    in the way of organized activities.  One volunteer took care of
    the beer, another called the police about blocking the street, and
    a third took care of coordinating the grills.  We all brought our
    own chairs and such.
    
    My next-door neighbor remembered that halfway through the
    afternoon we decided we didn't have enough munchies, so the guy
    from Texas passed his hat, then sent the teenagers over to the
    local variety store for several bags of chips and such.  And
    there was a wading pool set up next to the parents' area, but on
    the opposite side from the grill, so the small kids could have
    something to do.
    
    --bonnie

As long as I can remember, at my folks' summer cottage on Labor Day Weekend the
MINOT Beach Association has been putting on a Block Party.  The Beach Assoc.
collects dues from all the families to help clean and maintain the beach and
sponsor the Block Party.  The Labor Day Party has been occurring for over 
30 years old, probably closer to 40 years.

There were a few years when it got out of hand with folks abusing the party
by inviting friends and relatives without chipping in additional $$$ or
other kids and teenagers from the town crashing the cookout and dance.  The
solution was to allocate set amount of tickets to each family for hotdogs,
soda and ice cream.  This way everyone is assured to get their fair share.
If you invite additional people great, then you buy more tickets or go back to
your cottage and cookout.

The prizes are ribbons for all the events.  Some of the (grand)mothers wear
the ribbons that their family members  won from all the events during the day.

The festivities start in morning with an Arts 'n' Craft contest for the kids.
The children must make their artwork with some of the local beach stuff, 
shells, sand, seaglass, etc...  These are judged by age group and everyone gets
a ribbon who enters.

Next, the big event at 1 P.M., the LABOR DAY PARADE!!!  Anyone one can enter 
from the families.  You must dress up using a theme and it must be a homemade 
costume.  We have a Parade Leader, with a hat, marching cane, red/white and 
blue jacket and a whistle, which all have been passed down from prior Parade 
Leaders. Kevin and his cousins were firemen, last year. (They won CUTEST!)
The (Grand)mothers pick a group theme and dress up (Bridal Party with a Prego
bride, the MINOT Grapes).  The rest of us sit on the sea wall to watch, cheer
and run after the parade (always keep a roll of scotch tape handy, you never
know when the costume will start to fall apart :-} ). Our costumes are usually
made 1 to 2 hours before the parade with crepe paper, scotch tape, colored paper
and any household thing we can find.

The Parade heads down the road about a 1/4 mile then back.  The judges give out
prizes for the Cutest, Stupidest, Most Original, etc.  Everyone gets ribbon
and the children all get lollipops.

The other activities, include swimming races, foot races and an egg throwing
contest (done on the beach).  The egg throwing contest is everyone favorite.
This is the last event so happens late in the day. (ever try following an
egg in the air with a video camera? :-) ) 

There's a cookout, but most families take their food back to their cottages 
to eat. 

The day ends with either a DJ or Band playing outside one of the cottages on
the road near the beach.  Everyone goes to it, we either bring chairs or more
likely sit on the seawall.  Sometimes there will be dance contests, such as
the twister.

It's a blast!  I meet all the kids I grewup with during my childhood summers.
My son now plays with my cousins' kids, his cousins and my friends' children
when we go down there.  My sister, my brothers and my cousins all show up
that day with their families.  My aunt and uncle live next to my folks. 

It's a wonderful tradition for all the families involved.

However, this year will bring a some sadness to our families, since my
cousin Jimmy died this past February.  We all miss him.  It will be sad
watching his children participate in all the activities knowing he is missing
all of this.  It will be the first time that his family and friends will
be together since his funeral.  Hopefully, we'll remember the good times and
bring some happiness to his kids, wife and parents.  This type of tradition
I think helps the healing process and gives the children a sense of family
tradition.  We'll see.


Sorry for the Rambling but trying to fit 30 years of tradition takes a bit,

Hope everyone is having a fun summer,

Pat K.

    I live in a real NEIGHBORHOOD, where we have at least a half dozen
    large scale community events a year (this has been going on 39 years,
    I've only been there 7).  One is a square-dance-in-the-street early
    each fall.
    
    Local regulations differ, but the basenote looks like it's from Mass.,
    so this may apply.  Since we are holding an organized event on Town
    property (the street), formal permission of the Board of Selectmen is
    required.  We send in a standard request each year, and they approve it
    and send back a standard reply.  It reminds us that public consumption
    of alcohol is illegal.  But since we get this approval out of the way
    several weeks ahead of time, we sometimes don't remember the beer ban
    very well on the night of the dance.  The formal vote of approval is
    legally required even though we use a dead end street, and allow
    vehicles through (emergency or not).
    
    You probably wouldn't get arested for ignoring this procedure, but it
    might stand you in good stead if anything goes wrong (reduce personal
    liability for organizing an illegal event???), if you want to repeat
    the party, or if you might want other neighborhood "favors."  As my
    neighborhood is quite politically active (on zoning issues,
    conservation, and the like), we tend to go slightly out of our way to
    be "good citizens" so we can preserve our influence on other issues.
    
    		- Bruce

Well...better late than never.  I havent been able to get to this file
enough and it took time to catch up but I didnt forget to let you all
know how our first block party turned out.  It was held at the end of
august on a sunday and the weather was beautiful.  About 45 adults and
25 kids came. Everyone had a great time. 

Ok the details:

o Food - we went with bring your own for your family (hot dogs, hamburg,
  chicken...etc) and a main dish for the "share table".  We ended up with
  lots of good stuff.  Seemed to be enough of everything.  We supplied
  grills for cooking, paper goods, koolaid, ice tea, ice, and condiments.
  People brought theit own beer, soda..etc.

o Setup - We blocked off one end of the street and used one families driveway
  for the grills and buffet table.  To secure a permit to block off the street
  we were required to hire a police officer at 24.00 per hour and only used
  him for 5 hours since it was a family event with no trouble.  

o We charged 5.00 per adult and 2.00 each child to cover all expenses.

o Music - A stereo was set up and people brought diff tapes.

o We decorated the blocked area with a bunch of balloons on each mailbox.

o Most people put a trash bin at the end of their driveways to prevent 
  littering.

o GAMES - We started off the day with a bike decorating contest for the kids.
  We gave them each a bag of stuff to decorate so they all had the same stuff,
  streamers, cans on strings, baseball cards with clothespins.  When they
  finished, they had a bike parade and really enjoyed it.  There was face
  painting too.  We made an obstacle course in one back yard and had the
  two oldest kids pick teams and run it like a relay race.  Part of the
  race involved the kids dressing up and running the course.  Lots of fun.
  Then, they decided to get the parents to run their version of the obstacle
  course carrying one of their children thru the course with them.  That
  was fun too.  We also had a pinata. The games ended with a "treasure" hunt.  
  Each child had to find 10 objects drawn out on a poster board and turn them 
  in for a prize bag filled with candy, pencils (school right around the
  corner), and stickers.  We were lucky to have some teens who enjoyed 
  running the games.

o For both the adults and kids, we filled a small glass container with popped
  popcorn and had a guessing contest on the amount.  The closest adult 
  received a gift certificate for dinner for two at a local restaurant and
  the kid received a gift certificate for icecream at the local ice cream
  parlor.  The winner was an older couple visiting their son and this country
  from Germany for the first time!!  They were watching as I ate a hamburg
  cause they never saw one before and were asking all sorts of questions
  about the food but enjoyed all of it.

  It was well worth all the planning.  Cant wait for next years.