Block party

A block party or street party is a party in which many members of a single community congregate, either to observe an event of some importance or simply for mutual enjoyment. The name comes from the form of the party, which often involves closing an entire city block to vehicle traffic. Many times, there will be a celebration in the form of playing music and dance and activities like pony rides, inflatable slides, popcorn machines and barbecues.

For other uses, see Block party (disambiguation).
A block party in Manhattan

As a form of activism street parties are festive and/or artistic efforts to reclaim roadways as public space by large groups of people. They were made known in Western Europe and North America by the actions of Reclaim the Streets, a widespread "dis-organization" dedicated to reclaiming public space from automobiles and consumerism.

Poland

Poland Orange Alternative staged festive protests to break the Communist government's monopoly on public life.

UK
A street party in London for the 2011 Royal Wedding

In the UK, street parties are mainly known as private residents' events and have a special cultural meaning, especially in England and south Wales. They have historically been held to commemorate major national events, such as VE Day or for royal events such as jubilees, with bunting dressing the street, and children playing in the street. An estimated 10 million people took part in street parties in 1977 for the Queen's Silver Jubilee.

The tradition seems to have begun in England and Wales after World War I as residents' own "peace teas" to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.[1]

The tradition was boosted for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in April 2011 with about 1 million people joining in street parties.[2] For the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in June 2012 about 2 million took part.[3]

Now street parties are held annually and at any time for residents to meet their neighbours in a traffic-free street in a private street party. Some "street parties" are public events taking many forms.[4]

An application may be needed to the local authority to close a road for a street party [5] under 2 different laws.

US
People and police officers at a very large block party
Musicians performing at a block party

Block parties are reported as a World War I innovation originating from the East Side of New York City, where an entire block was roped off and patriotic songs sung and a parade held to honor the members of that block who had gone off to war.[6][7] Traditionally, many inner city block parties were actually held illegally, because they did not file for an event permit from the local authorities. However, police turned a blind eye to them.

In the United States, block parties usually occur on holidays such as Independence Day and Memorial Day. Some towns may also have an annual block party.

Block parties gained popularity in the United States during the 1970s, particularly within the hip hop community. Block parties were often held outdoors and power for the DJ's sound system was taken illegally from street lights, as referenced in the song "South Bronx" by KRS-One.

Sometimes the occasion may be a theme such as a recent popular movie or "Welcome to our town" for a new family. Often block parties involve barbecues and lawn games such as Simon Says, karaoke, and group dancing such as the Electric Slide, the Macarena or line dancing. In many small towns, the local fire department may also participate in the party, bringing out trucks that they display for show.

See also

References
  1. "History of Street Parties". Streets Alive Ltd. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
  2. "Street Parties for the Royal Wedding 2011". Streetparty.org.uk. 2011-04-29. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
  3. "Street Parties for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee 2012". Streetparty.org.uk. 2012-06-05. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
  4. Fraser, Katie (2011-04-06). "Royal wedding: Why so few street parties?". BBC News. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
  5. "streetparty".
  6. "Block Parties", The Outlook, 16 October 1918; reviewed 2008-09-20.
  7. Fiocco v. Carver, 234 NY 219 (1922)
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