We live in a northern climate, and as much as we like to grumble about the cold and snow – all winter long – most of us live here by choice. So, rather than complain for several months straight each year, why not embrace it, even have a party and celebrate it!
That’s what the City of St. Albert wants to see happen with its block party program, now offering the same services to residents at any time of year – free hot dogs and buns, recreation equipment on loan, and help with street closure if needed.
St. Albert registered 87 block parties in 2013, with numbers climbing each year, so neighbourhood development co-ordinator Angie Dedrick took the idea beyond just the summer months.
“Building a sense of belonging in a community, getting to know and care about your neighbour – these are small-town ideas that we can have in our city too,” Dedrick says.
Erin Ridge resident Bonnie Nixon hosted a first-time winter block party on her cul-de-sac last March, and though she and her neighbours already knew each other – most have lived on the street about 10 years – the block party became a slice of Canadiana the community still talks about.
“It was such a winter-on-the-prairie kind of thing to have a hockey game, but we did. The afternoon was sunny and beautiful, people brought sticks and balls and wore jerseys – the hockey gods shined on us,” Nixon says.
With tables set up in Nixon’s garage and barbecued hot dogs and urns of coffee and hot chocolate on the go, the neighbours spent nearly four hours playing or visiting on lawn chairs.
Dedrick says other ideas for a winter block party include hay bales and marshmallows for a street-side bonfire, a chili cook-off, or a snow fort-building event.
“Food always brings people together, but whatever the activity, it’s just important to connect with neighbours,” she says.
Grandin resident Dorothy MacDonald has been organizing block parties on her busy boulevard for several summers, with help from neighbours.
“We like to have it in June before people leave for summer holidays. It takes time to build the event over a few years, so it’s good to have a few ambassadors on the street who know their immediate neighbours best,” says MacDonald, whose well-established parties have seen RCMP cars, bikes and even a fire truck park on the street for a visit.
With help from a small committee, MacDonald’s block party ideas include flower-topped tables set up in the middle of the road to encourage folks to mingle, gift basket giveaways, and even a neighbourhood quiz with questions like, Who delivers the Gazette on our street? or Do you know where so-and-so lives?
Some 70 neighbours took part in the most recent Gatewood Avenue party, sharing invitation hand-outs and vegetable, dessert or beverage duties.
“We keep kids entertained too, with a bike circuit, basketball hoop and even a lemonade stand,” MacDonald said. “It enhances our sense of community – a teen may meet a senior who needs help shoveling snow in winter – so safety and security are important benefits too.”
