Neighborhood Block Parties - a Fun, Fast, and Furiously Simple How-To Guide!

I've always been a HUGE fan of neighborhood block parties! I've had the good fortune to live in neighborhoods both large and small. Block parties are a wonderful way not only to get to know your neighbors, but to bond with them as well. Who knows what interests, values, background and personal histories you share with the family right up the street?

Block parties have been around a long time, literally as long as there've been 'blocks' of homes together. Perhaps prehistoric man enjoyed roasting a boar on a spit with his fellow surrounding cave mates!

We last lived in a neighborhood of over 300 homes. It was large, but very, very friendly, with planned and organized activities for children, adults, sports buffs and families. The community had its own pool, clubhouse, two functioning marinas, and a large, well-mainted childrens' playground. It was, in short, the perfect place in which to raise a family: you could join and take part in as many activities within a large range of interests as you chose, or you could simply prefer not to take part in any of them. If you wanted to maintain your own 'space' and privacy, that was more than acceptable. Neighbors STILL included you in situations that warranted it - if someone in your household was sick and needed help, if a neighbor passed away, when help was needed outside or around the house, word spread quickly - and someone soon came a'knocking. It was like living in a little city unto itself.