The Neighbourhood Party

Poster I created - remember, keep it simple!

Beaver - of 'Leave it to Beaver' - knew all his neighbours by name. His parents would invite the neighbours over for drinks, they'd be invited out to other neighbours for dinner and someone on the block would have a Christmas party, inviting the entire street over.
Where did those days go?
I have great neighbours and with people moving more often than staying in one house their entire married lives, it's sometimes tough to keep up with who is inhabiting your street.
And why not get to know them? When you're away, you know they'll keep an eye on your place, maybe even mow the lawn and water your plants. One of the households might have a responsible teenager who can babysit for you. Another might share that much needed cup of sugar (or in my case, apple-cider vinegar) for the recipe you're trying to create for dinner.
So this past weekend was our Seventh Annual Street Party.
We had upwards of 60 people. A potluck and barbecue, road hockey game and our famous (on our street anyway) Gummy Bear Spitting Contest. Yep, it's a real crowd pleaser! And so far the record is a whopping 32 feet!
The kids have a great time too and give it a go. We also planned a shoe throwing contest with a pair of socks as a prize, candy toss and face painting. For the adults, it was bring your own chair and BYOB and sit and chat with the neighbours that you usually give a nod or a wave to and the occasional 'hello', but this is a chance to catch up on what they've been up to.
If you don't already do it, it's a great chance to really get to know the people on your street and enjoy their company. Not to mention, they're all connected to other people who just might have a business or skill that you might require later on, so it's a great way to network as well.
I think you should enjoy where you live, and what better way to do that than become friends with those who live around you!

Recipe for a Neighbourhood party:
1. A flyer inviting your neighbours to join you and other neighbours. Keep it simple and make sure you give enough notice. At least 4 weeks works well for most and also September is best as everyone is usually home as school starts up again.
2. Get a group together to plan. Someone to get the burgers, hotdogs and buns. Someone else to get the pop and juice. Another to get items for prizes and games.
3. Decide who's going to do the barbecuing and get a couple of barbecues out at the end of the driveway.
4. Always have extra. Burgers and hotdogs are something you can freeze, so not a waste if there are leftovers. I put out a donations box to help cover the costs of the barbecue.
5. Have something for the kids to do after dinner and games - like a common basement on the block with a kids' movie or games with a couple of older teenagers/babysitters to watch the crew as they wind down from their day of fun and sugar! Parents can then mingle outside and check in on the kids as needed.
6. HAVE FUN!
Pictures coming soon!