Deptford’s Locust Grove Boulevard community will be the setting for a block party on Saturday, July 8, in front of the neighborhood’s community’s center.
The annual event has been on the township’s summer calendar for nearly 10 years, according to Deptford Mayor Paul Medany. Its features will include a barbeque, live band, corn hole games and a balloon artist. Locust Grove can be found just past the township’s Chick-Fil-A, close to the Deptford Mall.
“It is a fun time for the whole family,” the mayor said.
The block party is free and open to all Deptford residents. It will take place on the actual Locust Grove Boulevard, half of which will be closed during the event, while the other half remains open.
To the mayor and council members who will attend, the block party is a way to raise community spirit.
“These events build community spirit, and it’s a great opportunity for people to meet …” the mayor noted. “People like their elected officials, neighbors and the whole community overall.”
The event also serves as a temporary substitute for the kind of downtown area Deptford lacks.
“The Deptfords of the world don’t have a downtown area to meet and talk with other people,” Medany explained. “The closest thing we have to that is the Deptford Mall. We have 75 neighborhoods in Deptford, and we can’t get to all of them.
“That’s why we do events like this,” he added. “We pick strategic spots to hold events and to bring the community together. It really helps to build community in general.”
Block party hours are noon to 3 p.m. Other guests expected will be board of education members and representatives of the township fire department who will do demonstrations.
