Block Parties: Big Fun With Small-Town Appeal

This past Wednesday, the Fourth of July, Pullman Lane had its 10th Annual Pullman Block Party complete with a waterslide, obstacle course bouncy, music, an amazing 10-year-old band, Blak Reign, and games, games and more games—oh, and the Watermelon Derby! 

So why is this unique? Well, I'm from the Midwest where you really know your neighbors and their kids and can trust them to watch your kids if you have to run out. When I first moved to Los Angeles in 1990, the feeling was quite different out here. Not only did I not know my neighbors, they wouldn't even look me in the eye—I couldn’t tell who my neighbor was if they were standing in front of me.  However, when we moved to Redondo Beach in the summer of 1999, we quickly met our neighbors in large part due to the great park across the street.Everyone hung out at the park watching their kids, so you got to know who lived around you.

We now meet often on Friday nights in the park to chat and catch up, which is where the ideas of our block party, annual Holiday Progressive party and annual camping trip were all born. The park is the heart of the neighborhood and the fact that Redondo Beach has these parks every few blocks is amazing and neighborhood-building.

So, back to our block party last week. I'd say around 200-300 people were there and a fun time was had by all. With watermelon eating contests, sack races, water balloon tosses and the ultimate watermelon derby—there was an activity every 1/2 hour and lots of action. And the heart of the party was, yes, in the park.

I’m very proud of the city of Redondo Beach and am happy to live here.  Especially on Pullman Lane, we have an extra-bit-of-special on this street. Even the real estate agents are advertising house flyers with, “…yes, this is THE Pullman Lane.”

So thanks Redondo, thanks neighbors, and let’s get ready for our camping trip!