Aug

11

How to Rock the Block (with Aldermanic Approval)

Filed Under Chicago Events, Family Events |

This past Sunday, the street where we live was cordoned off, traffic was turned away, emergency vehicles arrived with lights flashing, and neighbors poured from their homes. Was it a traffic accident? The scene of a crime? Nope. It was our first annual neighborhood block party, and it was a blast!

If the majority of neighbors agree to it, Chicago streets are given the city’s blessing to hold their own block parties, and that’s exactly what our street did. The event was simple in concept, but it ended up being a highlight of our summer. Here’s how it went down:

The party began at 10:00 a.m. with the street being closed off, neighbors congregating, and everyone donning nametags with their names and house numbers. The festivities were kicked off with a “wheels parade” - neighborhood kids riding brightly decorated bikes, scooters, strollers and roller skates. This was cinematic gold as far as home movies were concerned. The parade was then followed by a water balloon toss with the north side of the street pitted against the south. It was a great way for everyone to get acquainted (and/or wet).

Wheels parade Wheels parade

At noon, a potluck lunch was served. Everyone contributed a pre-arranged dish, and the buffet was loaded with homemade salads, sliced fruit, chips, cookies and brownie bites. Two families fired up their barbecue grills and cooked brats, hotdogs, hamburgers and chicken wings, along with a pot of Italian beef.

After lunch, a live band composed of block residents started jamming while a tie-dye station opened up for kids and adults to create their own shirts. Later, Wine Styles (of 1433 W. Belmont) opened a wine tasting table offering samples of whites and reds. At the same time, a beanbag toss competition was hosted.

James Party of 4 Wine Styles

Later, a Chicago Fire Department fire truck arrived and set up shop for the neighborhood kids. The firemen, who were exceptionally friendly, invited the children to sit inside the truck and helped them climb up and down it. They also opened a fire hydrant with a sprinkler head, creating an arched spray for the kids to play in.

Fire truck Fire hydrant

This was followed by a sponge race and musical chairs and the official end of the party at 4:00 p.m. However, all clean-up activity came to a halt when a neighborhood girl barely tall enough to reach the microphone gave an impromptu violin performance from the bandstand. Everyone - adults and children alike - stood in complete silence as she played a 10-minute classical piece. Needless to say, she brought the house down with the conclusion of her piece, and it was a fitting end to what had been a very successful gathering of friends, family and neighbors.

Beanbag toss Violin player

Throwing Your Own Block Party

As I said, almost any neighborhood can throw its own block party (provided they aren’t aiming to shut down a major artery to Wrigley Field during a Cubs Game).

The key to a hosting a successful block party is to plan ahead and get your neighbors involved in the organization process. With a few months notice, you’ll have a good chance of getting a fire truck, a Moonwalk, and retail sponsorship. You must apply for your block party permit through your alderman’s office, and they make the process quite simple. Don’t delay, however, because you must apply no later than one month in advance.

You can find the name and contact for your Chicago alderman here or here.

You may also want to check out these block party planning tips offered (via YouTube) by the representatives of some of the city’s North Side aldermen:

44th Ward

32nd Ward

While you’re in YouTube mode, you might also enjoy this series of videos called “Ask the Butcher” hosted by Ray Lekan of Lakeview’s Paulina Meat Market (one of my favorite city butchers). This three part series is very informative when it comes to outdoor grilling.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3


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