Community House Looks to Get the Party Started Friday

If you are looking for a family-friendly event to kick off your summer with a bang, then look no further than the on Friday.

The is hosting the third Annual Block Party at in an effort to raise money for its programs and to bring the Hamilton-Wenham community together.

Nancy Littlehale, the event coordinator of the Block Party, hopes that as the Block Party grows in numbers, so will the community support for the Community House.

“People don’t realize that we get zero government funding at either the state or town level," Littlehale said. "We rely on our citizens to keep this place going.”

The Block Party started as an idea four years ago after the Community House Board of Directors realized that it was getting to0 expensive to keep up with their annual golf outing. With the economic downturn, golfers and corporate sponsors found it hard to part with a few hundred dollars for a round of golf and a meal.

“After brainstorming with our board, we decided to get back to the basics by scaling back our golf tournament to a more affordable outing and augmenting our efforts with a mission-based community wide summer celebration,” Community House Executive Director Melissa Elmer said. “Nancy (Littlehale) had the brilliant vision of creating a community party.”

The proceeds from the event go towards the Community House's year-round programs that range from Korean Karate instruction to ballroom dancing classes for adults.

“In the Midwest, where I’m from originally, everything is really community-based. There was nothing really like that out here,” Littlehale said. “Now people from all different walks of life can get together around the community table and have a great time. This is what the Community House is about.”

A few dozen caterers from the North Shore have agreed to cook different parts of a meal without any cost to the Community House. Also, a handful of local businesses agreed to donate money to provide entertainment for the party-goers.

“There’s something for people of all ages at the Block Party," Littlehale said, “The kids can head over to the giant slide, while the parents can grab a drink at the cash bar before enjoying a little live adult music.”

Tickets for the event are still available and you can buy them at the event.

The Block Party has grown from 250 people in its first year to an expected 800 attendees this year.  

The party will begin at 5 p.m. with a buffet style meal and is scheduled to last until 9 p.m. For more information, check the Communty House's website.

Block Party Food and Fun

For Adults: A cash bar and live band "Don't Call Me Shirley"

For Kids: Bouncy House, Giant Slide, Obstacle Course, Train Rides, Dunk Tank, Balloon Boy and Face Painter

The Menu

The Meat House of Beverly: Sliders and skewered chicken

Bonne Bouche Caterer of Wenham: BBQ chicken and potato salad

  of Hamilton: Pulled pork, mac 'n cheese and cornbread

Casual Catering of Beverly: Assorted wraps

Henry's Market of Beverly: Tuscan station with hummus, eggplant dips, etc.

of Wenham: Grilled/mixed vegetables

Tim Hopkins Catering: Hot dogs

of Danvers: Ice cream - vanilla, cookie dough and chocolate

of Hamilton: Signature salad with mesculan, walnuts and goat cheese

Ipswich Clambake: 400 portions of chowder

: Desserts