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Are these common throughout the U.S.? Here in Chicago, they're a popular summer activity. How they work here is that a block is closed off to traffic with "horses". Then the people who live on that block set up tables, grills, coolers, chairs, etc. in front of their houses. They typically invite close friends and family. Depending on the budget, some block parties have DJ's, live bands, etc. The Chicago Police will make an appearance (if invited) and bring mounted officers so the kids can pet the horses. The Fire Dept will come by too if invited. They are planned months in advance and usually everyone on the block is responsible for helping to organize it and kick in some money for entertainment. People hang out, mingle, walk up and down the block, drinking beers and eating grilled meats with sides like potato salad, baked beans, cole slaw, etc. I love block parties! My husband who grew up in suburban Chicago had never been to one until he was an adult, married to me and living in the city. That made me wonder if these are a Chicago tradition or perhaps an urban tradition practiced in other areas?
St. Louis I bet would have something sorta like this...just minus all the cops, firemen, etc. We have a lot of activities and fairs in the city around this time of year in which big arts fairs are set up along with barbecue, beer, hot dogs, grilled stuff, etc...the neighborhood i grew up in threw regular parties like the ones you speak of, we just didn't invite officers or firemen to them. My old neighborhood was and still is a private one. Probably among the wealthiest ones in the St. Louis metro area.
I've been to several block parties over the years, in the city and the burbs. The tavern owner down the street just threw one on our block a month ago.
We have them every summer in St. Paul. On our block we coincide with National Night Out. The cops always come and give little presents to the kids like plastic badges, etc.
The Scranton city proper has a lot of annual block parties, but most of its suburbs are too sterile and standoff-ish to even consider them. One exception would be a member who just moved to the inner suburb of Dunmore, PA and is thrilled to already have been invited to an upcoming block party in her neighborhood. I believe my subdivision tried one several years back and it was a bit of a flop.
Hampton VA has them and they are pretty fun....lots of beer flowing!! LOL Funny watching all the cops there too...things werent like that up north. The cops were there but never in the numbers they are in the south.
Hampton VA has them and they are pretty fun....lots of beer flowing!! LOL Funny watching all the cops there too...things werent like that up north. The cops were there but never in the numbers they are in the south.
I'm not sure I understand - do you mean cops as in party participants or cops as in "police presence" to keep the order?
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