Hosting Town-Wide Neighborhood Block Parties - Making it Moorestown!

In April, 2005, Money Magazine named Moorestown, New Jersey, the "Top Town" in America in which to live. This honor was based on a certain set of criteria, including population diversity, ranking of school system, access to major highways, cities and shopping, and cultural and recreational activities. A group of Moorestonians formed a committee, calling themselves "Make It Moorestown"; their purpose was to celebrate this honor right in our town by hosting a number of new, fun and unique events. The first event that was held was a Saturday day-long series of block parties held in neighborhoods and developments throughout the township, capped off by fireworks at a local park in the evening. While this particular event was planned especially in response to the "Top Town" designation, it is really food for thought for other towns - large and small - throughout America as a great 'theme party' concept.

Committee members posted 'invitations' on the town web site asking residents to consider hosting a block party at their home. They also emailed and called residents who have been known in generously donating their residences in the past for other social and charitable fundraising events as well. The theme of the block parties was 'township pride' in this instance. For other theme parties, ideas to consider include a Fourth of July event, a 'getting to know you' social, a pre-holiday event, an 'end of summer' event, a Memorial Day party, a Labor Day party, a St. Patrick's Day celebration; your ideas for a theme are limited only by your creativitiy!