We are often asked for advice from people who want to organise a street party. Here’s a summary of what works for us:-
Think about why you want a street party. For us, we just wanted the opportunity to get to know our neighbours and to have a local party in our street.
Think about the kind of event that will work on your street. Should it just be a daytime get together or might it be an event that can run into the evening, with bands, DJs etc? Is it primarily for adults or children, or both depending on the time of day?
It only takes one or two people to get things started and you don’t need to have lived on the street for very long.
It will take about 3-4 months to organise the event.
Send out a questionnaire to the whole street asking if people would like to hold a street party, what date they might prefer and to provide contact details if they are willing to help organise the event. Don’t despair if you only get a few responses at this stage. Contact everyone who supplied their details and arrange for you all to meet up to talk about the kind of event everyone would like to happen on your street.
Hold regular planning meetings. Try to keep these as structured as possible. Agree an agenda and get someone to take minutes, but don’t get too stressed if the conversation veers off from time to time (remember, the aim was to help people get to know each other!).
Keep all the street updated with regular printed newsletters that summarise what was discussed during planning meetings. Make sure you publish the date, time and venue of the next planning meetings in these newsletters. Post these door to door. Maybe display them in local shops etc. Set up a website…
Think about how the event can be self-funded. If you are thinking about holding a raffle, be aware that A raffle where tickets are sold to members of the public in advance has to be registered with the local council, but you do not have to register a raffle or lottery if you are running an “incidental non-commercial lottery”: tickets must be sold and the raffle drawn during the event. Winners must be announced at the event. There is more information about rafffles on the Waltham Forest website.
Cobble together any equipment you might have to create a soundsystem / karaoke / lighting etc.
If you are thinking of applying for external funding, someone will have to commit a substantial amount of their time and effort in filling in applications, obtaining quotes, attending meetings etc.
Be aware that, if your event is successful all your local politicians / councillors will suddenly become very interested in what you are doing.
Read the Streets Alive website for more advice and guidance.
Have a fantastic street party.
