SPRINGFIELD — Ambiguous signs posted around Springfield read: “What is The BLOCK Party?”
Well, we’re here to tell you.
On Friday, Sept. 6, downtown Springfield will be bustling during the annual The BLOCK Party in the downtown area.
Chronicle archive photo / Bob Williams
Between 4-9 p.m., downtown will be popping with bouncy castles, live music, food booths, vendors, a marching band, jugglers, a live community mural, and the flash mobs. You may also see iconic cartoon character Homer Simpson from “The Simpsons” wandering around.
The event has steadily been growing — both in streets and participation — over the years, said Benjamin Wilkinson, event organizer.
In 2019, Wilkinson estimates that between 500 and 700 people attended the first party. Last year, he said between 7,000 and 10,000 people attended.
According to Wilkinson, The BLOCK Party was first run as a private event; this year, however, the event is being taken on by small business owners and partners.
This is also the first year the City of Springfield is cosponsoring the event, which will make logistics run smoother, like implementing street closures.
Wilkinson emphasizes the presence of free flowing acts during the party.
“The event isn’t really built around performances,” he said. “As it stands now, we’re focusing on promoting our sponsors and their relationships with the Party.”
By Springfield City Hall will be the Herencia Hispania. Put on by Noche Cultural & Eugene Arte Latino, this free event will feature folk dances, mariachi, dances from Bolivia and Argentina – and plenty of food.
Fans of Verdant Acapella, Grey Matter Jugglers, and One More Time Marching Band will be performing.
Daniel Powell, director of One More Time Marching Band, expects the band will march at 6 p.m., play on a designated corner, return to marching, and be done by 7:30 pm.
Bayne Gardner – popular Springfield artist known for his “Simpsons” murals throughout town – will be facilitating a community mural. The Academy of Arts and Academics will have a student vendor fair and will host a free art class put on by Bring Recycling. Individual businesses will also be hosting events and promotions.
Fans of Travers Lang, a Class of 1998 Springfield High alum, can expect to see “The Winks” – one of his two bands – performing at The Monkey’s Paw Bar.
Even the event organizer is surprised by some of the unexpected and spontaneous events that occur.
Last year, he saw a man in a zombie costume being followed by someone with a video camera.
“I didn’t hire those people,” Wilkinson said, excited to see more folks participating in their own unique way.
“Each year we have people show up in hot dog costumes. I don’t know where they come from,” Wilkinson said.
The BLOCK Party was first organized by Lane County Commissioner David Loveall in 2019. Wilkinson met Loveall back then as a tenant; he rents the commercial space for Common Bond Yoga on Main Street in Springfield from Loveall, and Wilkinson has been involved since.
The BLOCK Party will be held on Friday, Sept. 6, from 4-9 p.m. in downtown Springfield.
Sarina Dorie is the arts writer for The Chronicle.
