CHECKLIST FOR PLANNING A CITY OF SOUTH EUCLID ME? GREAT BLOCK PARTY RULES AND RESTRICTIONS Two months before: Barricades must be erected and Formulate “block party” committees: games, removed by the person in charge. PLAN A entertainment, food, clean up, publicity Choose a date when many families will be DO NOT use motor vehicles as BLOCK PARTY? available (also a rain date) barricades. Contact City Hall (381-0400) for approval of the date Minors must not have access to SURE! alcoholic beverages. Three to six weeks before: Send out flyers, invite old neighbors back, The legal drinking age in the outgoing neighbors, personally invite newer or State of Ohio is 21. HERE’S HOW... shy neighbors, invite local representatives Assign to families the type of dish to bring Week of the party: Confirm availability of picnic tables, chairs, tents, food assignments, etc. Send reminders The big day: Move picnic tables, chairs, grills into position Set up barricades—keep one lane open for Volleyball and net rental from the emergency vehicles by placing picnic tables and Community Center grills along one curb Call 216-291-0771 for details HAVE FUN!!! TO KEEP SOUTH EUCLID‟S THE TRADITION ALIVE This year‟s chairperson BLOCK PARTY GUIDE calls next year‟s meeting (usually in May). WELCOME HOME “NEIGHBORLY” ENTERTAINMENT SUGGESTED THEMES FOOD AND COSTS FOR YOUR BLOCK PARTY Children‟s Games Some examples of what has worked for others: Olympics Bike/trike decorating contests Charge $4.00 adult, $3.00/child and supply hot Hollywood Bicycle obstacle courses dogs, buns, paper supplies and beverages. Circus Parades (Pet parades must be conducted Families bring a dish to share. Hawaiian with caution. Their success depends upon International Fair (Helps celebrate diversity) Charge $8.00/family and each family brings its own the pets and their owners). meat plus a dish to share. Money covers prizes and Country Western/Farm (can include square Rocket Car rides entertainment. dancing and/or petting farm animals) Pony rides “Dress up” (A specific era in history: „20s, Charge $10.00/family to cover beer, pop, prizes, Police car demonstration „50s, „70s or even early South Euclid days) pony rides and square dance. (subject to availability) Fourth of July Each family brings its own food. Street chalk drawings Scavenger hunts TIME OF DAY THAT WORKS BEST Clowns Every theme can include a variety of contests, Most block parties take place between noon and Magic shows music, stories. Integrate the theme into games, midnight. Successful parties have run from four to Guessing games food and entertainment. twelve hours. “Free play” (confined to one or two yards) Themes encourage neighborly participation because Face painting themes cross all generations. Street softball/volleyball/soccer games Candy scramble Adult Games White elephant or grab bag auctions MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Raffles YOU MAY WANT TO HAVE D.J. (dance contests) Whistle Square dancing Microphone “Meet your neighbor” bingo Large “BLOCK PARTY IN PROGRESS” signs to be Water balloon toss posted on city-issued barricades at the end of the Baby picture identification street South Euclid/street trivia Camera, camcorder to preserve the action and show MEET FRIENDS Eating contests (watermelon, corn, pie, at next year‟s block party OLD AND NEW etc.) .