Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

Every year, my neighbors have a block party. In the past, it was $40 per house. This year, the two woman running it are asking for $100. In this economy, I think raising the price 2.5 times is a bit much.

Honestly, I have not paid my share. Today, they put a second notice in my mailbox. I really feel like I'm in an awkward position. DH and I work weekends so we wouldn't be able to attend. Also, I think the price increase is a bit unfair.

What should I do?

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

Yikes! Is everyone else paying that much?
Ridiculous!

I'd say we're on vacation that weekend and just take a day trip or something

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

If you work weekends and can't attend I would not pay $100! maybe offer the $40 and just say that you feel $100 is too much since you won't be attending or taking part in anything.

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

what goes on at these things for 100 a pop?

We had one in our neighborhood when I was a kid, it was just barbeque and soda

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

I would not contribute and not attend.

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

How many houses are there and what type of things are they planning?

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

In my experience, the people planning the block party contact everyone BEFOREHAND to see who & how much everyone can/will contribute.

If you want to be nice you can offer the $40 but I don't think it's 'rude' of you not to contribute since you wont be attending.

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

I think you may live on my street...the exact same thing happened to us this year. Last year it was $40, and this year she is asking $100. I have sooooo many issues on this at sooooo many levels.

1. She had told me over the winter she was going to ask everyone this year what they wanted to have and what they wanted to contribute (that never happened!)

2. They are planning on basically only haveing activities for older children. The only thing that would be suitable for my 3 yo is the bounce house.

3. My husband told them last year he could probably get a bounce house for free through his job, but was never approached for this...now we have to pay for one???

4. We happen to have a lot of friends and family away that week, so we really wouldn't even have a lot of people over (I guess not their problem! )

5. I asked her if she shopped any of the activities or DJ out to see if she could get a better price, "she said, no, she just wanted to book it and get it over with." Last year I had offered to make phone calls, etc. to get better prices than they did last year.

EEERRRRRRRRR I'm getting frustruated just typing this. IMO, in this economy I totally agree that $100 is a lot to ask of neighbors to contribute. We plan on being out that day anyway. If we come home around dinnertime and the DJ is still going, we plan on bringing her down like $30 to cover the DJ we're listening to.

Good luck!

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

WOW!

We're having a block party and we're only ASKING for $20 per family- some people have given more, some less and some none. Things are still rough for a lot of people, so we didn't want to push too hard. I think that's way too much and especially since you won't be there, I don't think you should pay anything!

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

There is no way I'd be paying if I wasn't going to be there. And I think I'd come right out and ask why it is now $100 anyway.

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

Last year we paid $150.00 I thought that was alot ...but since it was my "first block party " and we invited alot of people and it was a great time I did not care! But this year since Im pregnant and we are keeping it very small and Im sure those 2 witches ( who are running it )will be asking more $ this year!

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

I organize the block party by me- and $100 is ridiculous. Do you have a small block. Either way, if you want to contribute something just to contribute especially if you can't go, thats fine ( and hopefully your block appreciates it) but if you're not going to be there, to me, you are not expected to pay.

I don't put 2nd notices. Sometimes people just don't have the money and as the organizer, I have to work with that. I actually had to ask for an additional $5 each last year because we were short from people not coming.

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

If you're not going to participate that day because of work then I would tell them you're working and I wouldn't pay.

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

I just went to a block party last weekend and I know my AUnt paid $100 and thats what it was per house.

But they had a DJ playing until like 11 who handed out things and were really good with dances with all the kids, and then adult type music too, there was a big bouncy house, a big slide (with water maybe?) A dunking tank and I think that was it... But it was fun.

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

My Block party was $50 last year, but only the houses that were participating paid.

If you are not going to be there, I don't see why you should have to pay.

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

I don't get it - If your house isn't participating - and you're not even going to be HOME, why would you have to pay ????

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

If you want to show support I would give the usual $40 and not a penny more since you are not eveing going to be there. If you think they wont appreciate that then don't give anything. $100 is a ridiculous amount. They should feel awkward for asking that much.

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

If you can't participate, why would you pay??

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

My block hasn't had a block party in years, so I don't have any first-hand experience.

However, on my parent's block, if you're not participating then you don't pay. There were plenty of families who simply couldn't afford it, whether they were young families struggling to get by or seniors living on fixed incomes.

It's completley UNFAIR to require all neighbors to particpate IMO.

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

If you're not attending, you don't have to pay! I would just let them know you won't be home so they don't have to keep bothering you.

We just had a block party last week and the organizers made assumptions about who would participate and who wouldn't. That's how they came up with the cost ($85) and who they hounded for the $ and who they didn't.

ETA: our $85 covered the cost of the DJ (5hrs), bouncer/obstacle course (2hrs), popcorn machine, cotton candy, tattoos, prizes, giveaways, and I believe it also covered ice pops and candy. If we had more people participate, they would've also gotten the ice cream truck to serve soft serve ice cream for an hour or two.

Message edited 7/15/2010 12:40:30 PM.

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

Thanks everyone for the input. I'm soo relieved to hear that I'm NOT the only one who thinks $100 is bit much for young families.

Side note: When DH and I first moved to the neighborhood (without kids), the women were a bit standoffish. Occassionally, I got a wave from across the street. The men were different. Most were friendly and chatty when they saw us.

Now that we have DS, the women have been a lot more outgoing. I'm afriad if I don't pay for the block party they're going to be giving me the cold shoulder again.

Re: Block Parties (& a vent, too!)

We aren't asking for a contribution from any houses that are not attending. If you aren't going to be participating I don't see why you should be expected to pay. I'd just tell them you won't be joining them this year. I have no problem with any of our neighbors saying that. They all signed the permit for the road to be closed even if they weren't participating. Those who want to participate can.