A General Check-List for Putting Together a Block Party
A Little About Activities
It's Block Party Time!
Having a block party is a terrific way to meet or get acquainted with your neighbors. Block parties come in all shapes and sizes. They can be as small as a group of families from one block or as big as an entire neighborhood. A successful block party takes a little motivation, cooperation, and willingness to spend time with your neighbors.
Choosing to have a block party can make good things happen, the kind of things that make Rockaway such a great place to live.
Organizing a neighborhood block party...
Block parties are celebrations put
together by neighbors for many reasons: to raise funds for a cause, to celebrate a
holiday or just for the heck of it!
Neighborhood parties are great opportunities for raising money for
charity, a new park or anything you can think of.
If you are thinking about a block party, it will take a lot of organization but will be well worth it when you see how much fun everyone has. To begin organizing your party you will need to form an organization committee and the best way to do that is to hold a block meeting.
Everyone can bring something and volunteer to help set up and clean up afterwards. At the meeting, discuss the reason for the party, vote in an organization committee and decide on the date, hours and basic structure for the party right from the start to be sure everyone is on the same page.
Your organization committee will need to coordinate the events of your block party. One fun way to organize the food is to have each family bring a different specialty food. A list can be circulated so that everyone knows what will be brought and not too many duplicates are served. Have appointed hours for different foods and be careful to schedule them apart from other events like games, swimming or dancing.
Have plenty of activities planned for
children and adults together.
Kids like to be involved with games like
volleyball, badminton, etc. that are played with adults, which helps
them feel like they belong and are not being separated from the party.
Horseshoes, softball and wide-scale hide and seek are also great block
party games.
Make sure you have a back-up plan in
the event of rain.
Make sure you're familiar with NYC's rules about alcohol, and
make sure everyone stays responsible.
Have a clean-up crew assigned ahead of time or ask everyone to help.
With a little organization and a lot of cooperation, a block party can be a great way to get to know your neighbors and have a great time. The kids will never forget this giant party and you can start a tradition of having one every year!
How can I get a permit to hold a block party on my block?
According to the Mayor’s Community Assistance Unit, you must contact your local community board for a Street Activity Permit application. The community board will provide you with their filing guidelines.
The Community Board for Breezy Point, Belle Harbor, Neponsit, Arverne, Bayswater, Edgemere, Rockaway Park, Rockaway and Far Rockaway is Community Board 14.
You'll need to submit an application at least 90 days in advance. The community board needs at least 30 days to review the application.
After the community board has made its recommendation, they must submit the application to the Street Activity Permit Office at least 60 days prior to the event.
If you want to hold a multi-block and/or multi-day block party, you must file directly with the Street Activity Permit Office by December 31st of the preceding year.
To find out the status of your Street Activity Permit application, you may call the Street Activity Permit Office Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm at 788-7439.
If the Community Board denies your application, you have the right to appeal in writing to the Assistant Commissioner of the Street Activity Permit Office, 100 Gold Street, 2nd Floor, NY, NY 10038 within 5 days of notification of denial or approval with conditions by the community board. If you do not appeal within said time the board's decision will be implemented.
If the Assistant Commissioner denies your application, you have the right to appeal in writing to the Commissioner of the Community Assistance Unit, 100 Gold Street, 2nd Floor, NY, NY 10038 within 5 business days of notification of denial or approval with conditions. If you do not appeal within said time line the Assistant Commissioner's decision will be implemented. The Commissioner's decision will be final. This is the end of the appeal process.
It is always nice to have activities and/or games at your block party for adults and children. Ask an adult or a teen in your neighborhood to organize a few games and activities. Here’s a list of activities to choose from:
Face painting - Blowing bubbles - Sidewalk chalk - Cookie decorating - Bike decorating parade - Pińata - Karaoke - Hula Hoop™ contest - Relay races - Volleyball - Kick ball - Water balloon toss - Badminton - Bocce ball - Pet tricks/show - Obstacle course - Ping-pong - Miniature golf - String maze - Hayride - Twister™ - Limbo - Croquet - Cake/candy walks - Hopscotch - Horseshoes - Egg toss - Watermelon eating contest - Block party balloon relay - Water balloon volleyball
Many sites on the Internet can assist you in planning games and activities.
www.kidsdomain.com
www.parentsoup.com
www.gamekids.com
www.familyfun.com
www.yahooligans.com
www.mamamedia.com
www.surfmonkey.com
www.funbrain.com
www.theideabox.com
www.i-craft.com
A party isn’t a party without food.
There are many ways to handle food for a block party. Plan ahead and discuss the options with your neighbors and do what’s best for your situation.
If this is your first party, you might want to start with a simple dessert or pizza party. The fun part is getting acquainted and renewing friendships.
Here are a few food suggestions.
1. Every household furnishes a dish of their choice.
Meat to grill, side dish and drink
Side dish only and bring a donation for meat and drinks
Appetizers only
Desserts only
Ice cream or toppings for sundae bar
2. Every household is assigned a specific dish.
Specific dish related to a theme
Specific category of a side dish to accompany a cookout
Salad for a salad bar
3. Take up a collection and let the professionals do the rest.
Picnic trays
Box meal
Pizza
Subs
Barbecue
Buffet
You might ask yourself a few questions before making a final decision.
If we grill — what, where, when, who and do we have enough equipment
Have we accommodated vegetarians or people with special dietary restrictions?
If we are going to have a sit-down meal, can we furnish enough tables (tablecloths) for all?
Do we want to furnish the paper goods? Coolers? Ice?