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What to Plan For
Who's Who. Family-themed name tags help to group guests at a glance: Oh, so you're Joey's dad!
Food. Pre-assigned potluck, random dishes, or both.
Tables, chairs, plates, grills, etc. Everything needed for seating, eating, and cooking. Guests could sign up to bring food AND disposable plates, napkins, cups, and cutlery to share
Cooking. Man the grills on a rotating schedule so one person doesn't get stuck in front of the fire all day. Unless that's their comfort zone.
Ice. You'll need lots of it and coolers to keep it in. Keep cooling ice separate from drinking ice.
Food Safety. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Foil roasting pans filled with ice can chill bowls of salads, and slow cookers work great for baked beans.
Alcohol. Check if it's legal to serve it and if you need a permit. Make sure no underage drinking is allowed.
Cleanup. By volunteers or by assignment. Plan for trash and recycling.
Where's the Party?
Want to block off the street? You'll need a permit, so get on that right away.
Other Details
Theme Party. Optional but fun: Salsa Night, Hawaiian Luau, Summer Carnival, etc. Or build your party around a project like planting trees or digging a community garden.
Entertainment. Hook up a sound system, organize a house band, or hire a band. Have a talent show, hula-hoop contest, face painting, bike and trike parade, water balloon toss, etc. Set up a display of crafts or hobbies--you might discover a knitting buddy or prize-winning gardener.
Everyone's In. Help elderly neighbors, shut-ins, and people with limited mobility to join in because block parties should be all-inclusive.
Restrooms. Everyone uses the ones in their own homes.
Washout. Have an alternate date ready if it rains.
