It’s not to late to plan a block party to celebrate National Night Out. National Night Out is the first Tuesday in August. This year that happens to be August 7th. National Night Out is a great way to meet new neighbors who might have moved in recently and a fantastic way to stay in touch with those who have lived in the neighborhood for a while now. Block parties help to create a sense of community and actually make the neighborhood a safer place. As home builders in Ocala, we see first hand how getting to know your neighbors can make for a better experience when moving into a new community.
National Night Out
National Night Out (NNO), is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (Texas celebrates on the first Tuesday in October). Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.
Hosting a Block Party
It’s not too late to host a block party! You can download this free block party flyer template and edit it to reflect your party’s information and then print it out. Be sure to include a way to connect. A Facebook page or NextDoor page is a great way for neighbors to connect with one another.
Delegate
Ask some of your neighbors to help plan the block party. You’ll need someone in charge of the food, beverages, entertainment and games and cleanup.
Choose a Date
National Night Out is held on the first Tuesday in August, but that doesn’t mean you have to have it that night. If a weekend works better for your neighbors, by all means have it on the weekend. Have a backup date in case of bad weather.
Promotional Considerations
Many businesses are happy to provide food, or entertainment to the block party in exchange for a mention on the flyer and the opportunity to meet the neighbors. Check your community pages on Facebook and NextDoor to see if anyone is offering. If not, feel free to approach businesses like neighborhood grocery stores, Realtors, restaurants etc.
Sign Up Sheet
Be sure to have a signup sheet at the event. This is a great way to capture everyone’s email address and/or phone numbers.
Neighborhood Page
Another great way to keep in touch before the event and after is to create a Facebook page for your block or neighborhood, or a NextDoor page. You can put the web address on the flyer and have people sign up for the page and RSVP if needed. It’s also a great way to communicate who is bringing what for the potluck.
Encourage Networking
You may have a neighbor who provides the exact service you’ve been looking for. Find out what people do and let them promote their businesses.
A Few Things to Consider
You may want to have a bathroom policy of “everyone uses their own bathroom” to maintain home security. Encourage children to help clean up by providing a prize for those who help. Provide name tags.
Having a block party is a great way to meet new neighbors and keep in touch with old friends. As home builders in Ocala, we see each day how strong communities are formed by the simple act of getting to know one another.