| Some lament that the days of neighborhood | | | | household so that everyone feels welcome and able |
| camaraderie are a thing of history. Many people are | | | | to plan ahead for the event. |
| inclined to drive to work, come home, and shut the | | | | The menu you plan for this friendly gathering does |
| door. If people do happen to become familiar with a | | | | not have to be anything which will entail a large |
| neighbor, it's usually the people adjacent on the right | | | | amount of effort on the part of any individual. When |
| or left side of the house. The people who live down | | | | everyone gives just a little, the food can go a long |
| the way are strangers. One of the best ways to | | | | way. Every family could contribute one dish in the |
| encourage camaraderie in a neighborhood is a block | | | | style of a potluck or everyone could bring their own |
| party. In truth, every neighborhood is similar to a | | | | meats and vegetables for barbecues together in a |
| small town, and it's a great idea if people can get to | | | | common space. If you plan on doing a potluck, send |
| know one another. | | | | a signup sheet around the neighborhood so that you |
| Organizing a neighborhood block party does not have | | | | won't have too many repetitive dishes. If you're |
| to be a lengthy time-consuming or expensive effort. | | | | organizing the party for a particular cause, you may |
| You can make the event as simple as you like or you | | | | attempt to include foods that will promote |
| can pull all your efforts and throw a giant bash. Once | | | | awareness of the cause. |
| you've decided to make plans for a neighborhood | | | | A party just isn't a party without fun, games and |
| party, you'll find the rest of the process most easily | | | | entertainment - especially for the little ones. Potato |
| accomplished by gathering a bigger group of | | | | sack races, flag football, frisbees, water balloons, |
| neighbors who are interested in helping to organize | | | | sprinklers, stereos and other tools make for fun |
| the event. After you've created a team of | | | | times. You may even have neighbors who know |
| coordinators, you should have one or more meetings | | | | magic tricks or who can juggle or make balloon |
| in which you will set a date, discuss activities, | | | | animals. Give them a place to perform as they are |
| entertainment, food and any other elements | | | | certain to be a hit at the party. Be imaginative here |
| pertaining to the particular function of your block | | | | and try to make the party as much fun as possible. |
| party. Make certain to send out invitations to every | | | | |