Each year, September brings the start of a new school year, the transition from summer to fall and the Hampton Street block party.
For 14 years, the second Saturday of the month has been marked by a friendly gathering in the Elmira neighbourhood bordered by Snyder Avenue, William, James and Church streets. And this year, following the passing of a number of longtime residents and the anticipation of several families that are soon moving away, the party will take on added significance.
“It’s going to be a nice opportunity to remember our friends that have passed away this year and also to say goodbye to others that are moving on from the neighbourhood,” Randy Smith, party committee member and longtime host said overlooking his beautiful Hampton Street garden on a sunny afternoon. “It’s always been about providing a time for the new people to meet the community and for the young people to meet the seniors and just have a great time.”
There’s always plenty of food, with Smith a constant fixture at the barbeque, and there are lots of games for kids, who always seem to naturally get what a community is all about.
“The kids show us the way,” Smith said. “A new little one will come around and the kids will instantly include them in the group. They’ve always shown us old folks how to do it.”
In the neighbourhood for more than 30 years, Smith says the party got started because his family was hoping to introduce his in-laws – who had moved into town – to the people in the community. They hosted a pig roast in the large space between his backyard and his next door neighbour’s, and it was a big hit.
Eventually, a committee was formed to set up the annual event, and it has been bringing the community together ever since.
“It has brought a real sense of connectedness,” said Dianne Hamilton, another long-time committee member. “It’s not just about the annual block party of course, but it has certainly been a part of what has been a really special place to live.”
Like so many young families in Elmira, Smith and Hamilton both moved into town when their kids were young.
They watched as the little ones in the neighbourhood grew up, and now they’re starting to see a new cycle of young families join the group.
“There are things about this community that you will not and do not see anywhere else,” Smith said, recalling a time when a bunch of neighbours pitched in to help fix a roof. “Elmira offers a very peculiar thing, and I’ve done a lot of travelling in my line of work, but I’ve never seen anything like where I live. It is a special place.”
The party kicks off at 4:30 p.m. September 12 in the backyards of 32 and 34 Hampton St.
