Sun and fun: that’s what summer is all about. Pool parties, barbecues, softball, lawn chairs full of people judging others… I mean, pleasant conversation about the other neighbors. It’s one of the best times of the year.
Since the only blog party ideas I know of take place in a cell block, I asked others about their favorites.
I’ll start with my favorite, National Night Out! It’s time to meet our neighborhood heroes and celebrate safety, unity, family and meeting new friends.
Music, good food, laughs, games… come rain or shine, it’s always a good time, and definitely our favorite way to meet the community. Our least favorite is from the back of a squad car, but that’s a different conversation.
This is our 39th year of bringing communities together and celebrating. The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office and the Towns of Vail, Minturn, Edwards, Eagle, Avon and Basalt Police Departments, along with additional community partnerships, have put together our famous block party and we sincerely look forward to that you can do it Specific locations are listed below.
For those who can’t be there, be sure to give a shout out to your local patrol who may also be unable to attend. Your smile will make their day!
While there are many elements that are similar to all block parties, one theme can make or break a gathering, and it must be family-friendly to accommodate the entire neighborhood. Holiday themes are always fun, but gatherings that focus on simply getting to know and enjoy our neighbors can happen anytime.
Of course, it’s always nice to sit and chat, cooking burgers, franks and veggie kebabs, while trying to balance a plate of food and not spill your drink. After catching up, however, it can get a bit boring, so let’s think of some topics that could keep the event lively for everyone.
A dance party! Slave to that music (the neighbors won’t complain because they’re all there) and a microphone can turn it into a fun karaoke night. Even when it’s not a “dance party”, it’s always nice to have some music playing in the background, even if it’s just blasting from your phone to a speaker. Popcorn and movie night. It’s ideal to have a projector that streams to the garage door or side of the house, from the phone; but even pulling out an older big-screen TV, with an extension cord in the garage, can make for a fun little get-together as the neighbors bring a variety of movie goodies to the “event” along with a chair of grass or a blanket and plenty of drinks to Enjoy an old favorite movie, or maybe a sports game. Maybe all the guests pick a letter of the alphabet and have to photograph everything they find that starts with that letter, and then share the pictures with the party. Odd letters can select more than one. It can get pretty funny as people start renaming places and items to suit their goals. Then they have to create a story (the wackier and funnier the better) while sharing their photo collection. Even little kids can participate in this theme and they will love it. Kids of all ages love beach ball and bubble wand parties. Cheap, with plenty of running around to wear everyone out by the end of the night. A create-your-own ice cream sundae party, where neighbors each bring their favorite or most unusual flavor and topping (fruit, syrups, sprinkles, nuts, etc.).
Going online, you’ll find tons of ideas to liven up your block party, but remember, you just have to want to get together and spend some time relaxing and having fun.
In the winter, due to the weather, it’s harder to meet up with the neighbors because we tend to drive in and out of our garages so we don’t see each other, so months can go by without even a hello. Sharing our lives with the people with whom we share much of the rest (school, church, shopping, sports, etc.) is important to that sense of community we all desire.
Enjoy your summer and you can start by joining us for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 2nd.
Eagle County Sheriff’s Office
Events will take place at four locations from 5 to 8 p.m
Little Beach Park and Amphitheater in Minturn
Hosted by the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Minturn, it features live music (Pat Hamilton), free Rocky Mountain Tacos, Slapped WFP, ice cream treats, face painting and activities. Community partners will include: Vail Mountain Search & Rescue Group, Eagle County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Mountain Youth, Colorado State Patrol, Eagle County Paramedic Service, Eagle River Fire Protection District, Starting Hearts and more .
Freedom Park in Edwards
The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office and Edwards Metropolitan District are offering free tacos/quesadillas from La Patrona Taqueria, Edwards Village Market and Swire Coca-Cola products. Entertainment will include: a “No Bull” mechanical bull, a touch truck, emergency equipment on display from the Eagle River Fire Protection District, Eagle County Paramedics, Colorado State Patrol Troop 4C, group of Vail Mountain Search and Rescue, Early Childhood Partners. , and a special guest: helicopter flight paramedics from Classic Air Medical.
Lundgren Theater in Gypsum
The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Gypsum, along with Mountain Recreation, are offering free food and treats from Ekahi Grill, El Bajon CHURROS and Swire Coca-Cola products. Live music on stage by local Joe Hanley & The Workmen, a bounce house, face painting, tap-a-truck and equipment displays with Colorado State Patrol, County Paramedic Services Eagle, Gypsum Fire Protection District, Eagle County ARFF Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting. , US Forest Service, Vail Health and Eagle Valley Behavioral Health, Mountain Youth, High Rockies Harm Reduction and a special guest helicopter appearance from the High Altitude Aviation Training Site Team of the Army National Guard.
Triangle Park and Willits
The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Basalt, the Basalt Police Department, Roaring Fork Fire Rescue and the Basalt Lions Club are planning a fun evening of food, drinks, giveaways, games, music, bounce houses rebound and much more.
Águila Police Department
Brush Creek Park & Pavilion 5-8pm Eagle Police Department and community partners provide free food, treats and family activities.
Vail Police Department
Vail Fire Station 3 at 2399 N. Frontage Road in West Vail from 5 to 7 pm The Vail Police Department, LEIA (Community Law Enforcement Alliance) and community partners will celebrate with a free barbecue, a house of bounces and activities for children. Vail Police encourage Vail residents to bring their bikes or a photo of their bike’s serial number to be registered with the Vail Police Department.
Avon Police Department
Three venues from 6 to 8 p.m
The Aspens Community Park, 901 W. Beaver Creek Blvd. O’Neal Spur Park at Wildridge, 2799 Old Trail RoadEaglebend Apartments, 10 Stonebridge Drive
For more information, contact Eagle County Sheriff’s Office Community Affairs Officer Amber Barrett at (970) 328-8512.
Learn more about National Night Out at NATW.org/about
Join your neighbors and the people who work to keep you safe year-round for a night of fun, food and entertainment…sharing it with the community you love. See you there!
