Summertime is at its best when you and your neighbours can get together for a community block party. But before you close off your street and decorate, there are a few things you should take care of first to ensure your block party goes off without a hitch.

The City of Edmonton has put together an awesome block party guide to point you in the right direction. We also have this handy block party checklist for you. With these quick steps and tips, you could throw a legendary block party that your community won’t forget!

  1. Build a team: Assemble a group of neighbors, friends, or family to help with planning. Assign roles to ensure nothing is overlooked.
  2. Pick a day: Weekends are ideal but can be busy. Consider hosting on a weekday evening to boost attendance.
  3. Pick a time: Keep noise regulations, community standards, and your neighbors’ schedules in mind when setting the time. Be sure to check local bylaws and plan accordingly.
  4. Pick a location: Whether it’s online, on your street, in your yard, or in a park, include the details in your invitations. Confirm it meets any City or community guidelines.
  5. Plan activities: Organizing drinks and food might be enough to get everyone out and connecting. If you think you need an extra icebreaker to get everyone connecting, plan some simple activities or games. The key word here is simple. Avoid the urge to over-plan and keep any activities easy to get into, fun, and engaging.
  6. Rent/borrow any equipment you need: Did you know the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues offers rentals for block parties? From games to creative activities all the way to fire pits, be sure to know what you have access to through EFCL or your Residents’ Association to make your block party even more fun. You can also check in with your community league or Residents’ Association to see what they have available to borrow or rent for your party.
  7. Let your neighbours know: Make sure everyone in your block/crescent/street knows you’re having a get together. A single Facebook post or event page might not be enough to keep your party on top of everyone’s minds. Consider reaching out to your Residents’ Association or Community League to include your get-together on their emails. You can even try posters or flyers – go door to door handing them out or leave them in high traffic areas for people to pick up (depending on the size of your block party).
  8. Capture your memories: Having someone there to take photos and video to share across social media is a great way to make sure your neighbours who didn’t come to your block party will want to come to the next. You can even reach out to Brookfield Residential and let them know the date and time of your block party and they will send a photographer to capture all the memories from your event.

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