Beverly Block Party Bonus: VIP Event Added To Bolster Main Streets

BEVERLY, MA — For the past decade the Beverly Main Streets Summer Block Party has drawn thousands downtown for good times and the support of local businesses — to go along with the dozens of other events and projects the nonprofit organization runs each year.

Yet, as the downtown itself has thrived over the past 10 years, Beverly Main Streets — which relies on donations and grants for most of its funding — has had to look for innovative ways to keep up with financial challenges and pressures to sustain staff and programs.

With that in mind, Board of Directors Chair Jamie Engel solicited some help running an inaugural pre- and post-event VIP party for the July 29 Block Party for those who want a little extra fun and convenience, as well as for those who want to bolster the work of Beverly Main Streets.

"COVID really hurt us and we're really trying to figure out some small ways for the community to give back, raise some funds and support a community organization that I absolutely believe in," Engel told Patch on Wednesday. "The Beverly Main Streets mission is to add to the economic vitality and enhance the lives of people who live in Beverly. This is a way to bring Beverly together that supports our mission."

(Also on Patch: Beverly Summer Block Party Coming Back For 2023)

While there is a $5 donation to attend the Block Party itself, the VIP ticket also includes a 90-minute pre-party starting at 4 p.m. that includes two beers from Gentile Brewing, a liquor tasting with Deacon Giles, catered bites from Super Sub and Casual Catering and live acoustic music by Nathan Seavey.

VIPs will also get a chance to "skip the line" with a special VIP entrance to the Block Party and will have access to Chianti's indoor restrooms throughout the evening. Then from 9:30 to midnight, there will be a post-party with hosted Karaoke and pizza, with beer and wine also available for purchase.

Engel said the VIP party originated from a small brainstorming session with herself and a couple of local businesses and has expanded with an outpouring of offers to help.

"There's been an insane amount of support," Engel said, adding that a local bartender has offered services for free at the after-party to go along with all the donated food and entertainment. "We don't like asking a lot but these events don't fund themselves. With the donations, we were able to keep our (VIP) prices lower for anyone who wants to join in."

VIP tickets are $75 and can be purchased here.

"I'm really excited about it," Engel said. "Any type of donation really comes back to our community."

As the owner of a chiropractor business on Rantoul Street, Engel said she can see firsthand the massive difference that the downtown revitalization has made over the past decade with the help of Beverly Main Streets' promotional events and programs.

"It's such a different place now that I don't even leave Beverly," she said. "I walk home from work every day. When we go out to eat we used to drive to Somerville or Cambridge. Now when we eat out we stay in Beverly. I don't even really drive anymore.

"It's really important that we keep our downtown thriving and Beverly Main Streets helps do that."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)