Neighborhood Nights

Mark your calendar! The Southern Gables Neighborhood Night Out will be held on August 25, 2023, 5:00 PM. The Neighborhood Night Out is our biggest event of the year, with over 700 neighbors getting together at the Green Gables Elementary campus to meet with old neighbors and meet new ones, chow down on free hotdogs and lemonade, listen to music from a live DJ, and interact with local business offering games and prizes. And Magill’s ice cream! 

Having a neighborhood-wide Night Out to bring neighbors together is a big project for the Neighborhood Association but as the man says, “But wait! There’s more!”

We also sponsor summer block parties, offering a stipend of $100 to block party hosts who are willing to reach out and host a gathering. We have had a few generous souls take us up on the offer this year already, and more block parties are planned.

What a great neighborhood, right?

Last weekend’s block party was held by residents of S. Estes Street and S. Estes Way. The planning committee consisted of LaVonne and Bill Whelchel, Christine and Charlie Wishon, Will Epstein, and Anne and Ben Larson. Anne tells us they sent out about 50 invitations, maybe 75 including friends. About 100 people attended, including kids. People played a little cornhole, ate, and mostly mingled. The kids played gaga ball in a regulation octagonal pit supplied by Anne and Scout Pack 419. Jen LeDuc provided materials for and did the face painting – another hit! Shortly before dark, some Dirty Turkeys arrived and set up in front of their signature classic VW bus. You might be relieved to know that The Dirty Turkeys was the name of the band. They pumped a good amount of energy into the street, playing until 10:00 when the party started to wrap up. The Dirty Turkeys are playing at the Fox Theater in Boulder in September. Anne also gave a shout out to Gourmet Meat & Sausage Shop on the corner of Jewell and Garrison for providing the burgers at a discount. Shopping local!

Photos by LaVonne Whelchel. Click on through.

Even with all the shade trees around, the shade canopies were a nice touch. The street was closed off to traffic.

The center of the action was Bill and Lavonne’s driveway. Chef Ben kept busy at the grill.

A moment of calm in the cornhole tournament. “Here, try again.”

The kids loved the gaga ball setup. (Gaga ball. Who knew? You did, if you have a kid in the family.)

Face painting is always an attraction for the young ones. Local talent at work! They loved it.

Southern Gables Neighborhood Night Out Friday, August 25 at 5:00 PM. If you want to get together with some of your neighbors for a block party before then, and haven’t yet applied for a Southern Gables Neighborhood Association grant, read up on it here and then send an email to [email protected].