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Block Party

    Block Party Editor's Picks

    • How to Plan a Neighborhood Block Party

      Start the planning of your neighborhood block party by getting permission from the city. Once you've got the necessary paperwork and roadblocks to close off your street, you can plan the fun details like food, entertainment and games. more »

    • How to Advertise a Block Party

      After you set up all the details of your neighborhood block party, the last thing to do is spread the word! You can create invitations, flyers and posters to distribute. Kids can help advertise too, by handing out flyers at the bus stop or neighborhood community center. more »

    • Block Party Invitation Ideas

      A block party can be a fun way to get to know your neighbors and create a tighter sense of community. Making invitations can help set the tone for the big day and gets the word out to your neighbor next door and at the end of the block. With a little computer know-how and creativity you can make a block party invitation that will get... more »

    • How to Throw a Block Party

      In today's busy world, neighbors are often greeted with a quick wave
      at best. Have a block party where everyone can relax, have fun and
      get to know each other--and soon you'll be having coffee together,
      swapping kids or whoopin' it up with a pitcher of margaritas. more »

    • How to Hold a Block Party

      It used to be that people knew their neighbors. You could run over for a quick cup of sugar or linger over a hot cup of coffee. Neighbors watched each other's kids and looked after each other's homes, providing a built-in, human security system. Get to know your neighbors and enhance your sense of community by hosting a block party. more »

    Block Party Quick Guides

    • Throw a Great Block Party

      Fire up the grills and block off the streets: It's neighborhood block party time! Whether you're...

    • Rest and Enjoy Labor Day

      Celebrate Labor Day your own way -- whether you choose to honor the working class or simply...

    • Graduation Party

      Your favorite grad deserves a proper commencement celebration. From pre-school to grad-school,...

    • Mardi Gras

      Mardi Gras is a celebration that precedes Ash Wednesday. The festival gives revelers a chance to...

    Block Party Articles

    Wikipedia

    Block party

    A block party is a large public party in which many members of a single neighbourhood congregate, either to observe an event of some importance or simply for mutual enjoyment. The name comes from the form of the party, which often involves closing an entire city block to vehicle traffic. Many times, there will be a celebration in the form of playing music and dance and activities like pony rides, inflatable slides, pop corn machines and BBQs. Block parties gained popularity in the United States during the 1970s. Block parties were often held outdoors and power for the DJs sound system was taken illegally from street lights. This was famously referenced in the song "South Bronx" by KRS-One with the line:

    "Power from a street light made the place dark. But yo, they didnt care, they turned it out."

    Traditionally, many inner city block parties were actually held illegally, because they did not file for an event permit from the local authorities "if needed". However, police turned a blind eye to them.

    In the suburbs, block parties are commonly held on holidays such as Fourth of July or Labor Day. Sometimes the occasion may be a theme such a "Welcome to the Neighborhood" for a new family or a recent popular movie. Often block parties involve barbecuing, lawn games such as Simon Says and group dancing such as the Electric Slide, the Macarena or line dancing.

    In other usage, a block party has come to mean any informal public celebration. For example, a block party can be conducted via television even though there is no real block in the observance. The same is true for the Internet.

    The block party is closely related to the beach party. The British equivalent is the street party.

    In many small towns, the local fire department may also participate in the party, bringing out trucks that they display for show.

    History of the block party

    Block parties are reported as a World War I innovation originating from the East Sid read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block+party

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