Come Out Sunday for the Ankeny FUMC Summer Outdoor Block Party

has scheduled their annual Summer Outdoor Block Party for Sunday, August 26 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Wagner Park and the Ankeny Bandshell at East First Street and Ash Drive.  The Summer Outdoor Block Party has free food, music, and activities for the entire family.  The entire community is welcome to attend this free celebration.  

The menu this year is grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, roasted corn on the cob, chips, cookies, and bottled water.  The food is served picnic style.  

Activities include something for everyone with an obstacle course, Cars Giant Slide, Gorriligan’s Island, four person joust, three lane bungee run, junior obstacle course, and other games and activities.  Musical performances are continuous throughout the two-hour celebration from praise bands, choirs, musicians, and songs from Vacation Bible School Kids.

Ankeny First United Methodist Church has about 150 volunteers this year helping to make the Summer Outdoor Block party a success.  

“Our volunteers range from setting up the tents, chairs, and tables-to grilling hamburgers and hot dogs –setting up sound and stage systems-to serving people as they go through food lines- and finally tearing everything down after the Summer Block Party!  We could never accomplish such a huge project without the help of our volunteers,” said Pat Crownover, Director of Children and Family Ministry for Ankeny First United Methodist Church.

The Summer Outdoor Block Party is a tradition in Ankeny for over 20 years.  The end of summer celebration began as a small group of about two dozen church neighbors in the Ankeny First United Methodist Church parking lot over 20 years ago.  The celebration expanded to Wagner Park in 2005 to invite all of our neighbors in Ankeny and central Iowa.  In 2011, we had approximately 2,200 people attend the Summer Outdoor Block Party.

The Summer Outdoor Block Party is free and everyone is welcome to attend.  

“Our mission as a church is to be open and inviting to all people.  The Summer Outdoor Block Party is a way that we can reach out to our neighbors in fun, faith, food and fellowship,” remarks Pat Crownover.

Free parking is available adjacent to Wagner Park and next door at Parkview Middle School. In case of stormy weather or rain, the celebration will be moved to Ankeny First United Methodist Church at 206 S.W. Walnut St. in Ankeny.