We love block parties.
Our front-page story on the residents of Spruce Street in Burnaby pulling together a block party reminded us of just how much we love block parties.
While the people on Spruce Street have a unique reason to put on their party, we think any reason is a good reason.
Did we mention that we simply love block parties?
Here’s why. Let us count the ways:
We love them because they remind people how important every single person is in a community.
We love them because everybody gets invited: this is not just for the popular kids.
We love them because somebody always turns up with a brand new recipe for potato salad.
We love them because neighbours become friends and friends of your neighbours may become your friends.
We love them because there’s always somebody who turns up who knows how to fix your cable box.
We love them because you learn much more about diversity than you could ever learn from Facebook.
We love them because someone always needs a hand to do some chore, and there’s nothing better than being needed.
We love them because going to a block party reminds us of just how lucky we are to be alive in this time and in this place.
We love them because getting closer to real people always shows us how we have so much more in common than we could have ever imagined.
We love them because young people and old people mingle and play games together.
We love them because sometimes you all get to play bocce or street hockey and not care how good you are at it.
We love them because there’s usually a baby or toddler who makes us all smile.
We love them because there’s nothing like taking over a street and not having to worry about cars and trucks sneaking up behind you.
We love them because someone always has a great funny story to share.
We love them because they make people feel safer and more in touch with their surroundings.
We love them because somebody always brings a great sheet cake.
We love them because for one day or one afternoon, everybody can just kick back and enjoy themselves and not worry about having to drive home.
Oh, and did we say, we love them just because they’re plain good fun.
