Get ready for the 2026 BLOCK PARTY!
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Monticello Place

It's almost time for the annual Block Party!!! Ready your running shoes for the Mingleside Mile, prep your egg tossing skills, and have beach towels ready for the inflatable water slide. This year we have a bunch of new fun & activities, including the Mingleside Cares Community Drive. See the schedule below for more details and activities for the day!

The Block Party is what WE make it! Signups for the potluck and volunteer roles are HERE - please sign up today to bring a dish and to help in some way on Saturday - it takes a village!

We can't wait to hang out with neighbors new and old, catch up and toast to the best 'hood in town. RSVP, schedule, NEW communications group and food/volunteer signups below - contact Emily Cavanaugh with any questions and look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP

We're asking everyone to chip in $15 per person. This will cover our permit and activities throughout the day, including games and prizes, hot dog lunch for kids, cocktails, inflatables, Sno Cones, drinks and more. We will do a potluck for dinner!

Please send your contribution to Emily Cavanaugh (847-521-0057) via any of the following methods:

Cash/check - drop through the mail slot at 832 Ingleside Place with your party’s name
Zelle - use Emily’s cell phone (847-521-0057)
Venmo - use Emily’s husband’s Venmo @Grant-Cavanaugh (617-721-9451)

Our Block Party is what WE make it! Sign up to bring a dish + lead or support an activity - we need you to make the day a success! Check out the activities and sign up HERE to contribute your time and your food!

Volunteer roles include helping set up or tear down, helping run any of the fun activities planned for the day, or even mixing up cocktails.
We need your delicious food: side dishes, meats, veggies, desserts - all the things! Classic family recipes, store-bought goodies, favorites of all kinds are welcome to the table!

*NEW!* COMMUNICATIONS

To get timely block party communications (rain delays! the arrival of the fire truck! cocktail hour is open!) - please join a broadcast-only WhatsApp group using this link.

All are welcome to join (out of town friends, grandfamily in attendance, etc) and we promise not to spam you. It will go dormant until it’s time for next year’s party.

JULY 4 SCHEDULE

10:00am Mingleside Mile Fun Run & Banner Raising

Come warm up for your day with a jog around the neighborhood - donuts and coffee provided.

All Day Mingleside Cares - Community Donation Drive

As we celebrate our community, we remember neighbors in need. Bring your books, clothing, canned goods, and new/unopened toiletries & underwear for 3 great community partners. More HERE.

10:30am-4pm Splash & Bounce (after Mingleside Mile)

Two inflatables this year, a bounce house for kids 9 and under and a water slide for everyone! We will have a designated hour for little kids from 11a-12p. Bring your suits and towels! Parents, please stick around to provide supervision.

10am-4pm Littles Play Area & Toy Exchange

Bring a gently-loved toy you're ready to pass on; leave with a new treasure! Outside 723 Monticello.

11:00am Bike Parade

Head over to the Sport Court after the run to decorate your bike and parade around the track!

12:00pm Knockout Tournament

Meet at the Sport Court for friendly games of Knockout.

12:00pm Friendly Dog Meet-up

Bring your dogs to the Orrington track for an informal playdate and to say hello to neighbor kids.

12:30-1:30pm Hot Dog Lunch for Kids

Easy lunch for neighborhood kids, outside 824 Monticello.

1:30-3:00pm Left-Center-Right & Board Game/Puzzle Exchange

Meet on the Orrington playground lot (southside) for games. Come to play, and/or bring a game or puzzle and leave with a new one!

2:00-3:00pm Sno Cones & Face Painting!

Outside 800 Monticello, grab a frozen treat and stay for a glitter tattoo or face paint!

2:00-4:00pm Kids' Scavenger Hunt

Come see what you can find; win a prize! Reader and pre-reader versions available. Meet at the play area outside 723 Monticello.

TBD Evanston Fire Truck

A hit every year, the Evanston FD will swing by when they can for the enjoyment and cooling off of all! Join the WhatsApp group (see Communications, above) to get an alert when they are on site!

4:30pm Happy Hour

Come enjoy a summer cocktail and catch up with neighbors new and familiar!

5:00pm Games Galore: Musical chairs, egg toss, tug o’war and relays

- 5:00pm: Games for kids 10 and under + their grownups

- 5:30pm: Games for everyone 11 and up

6:00pm Potluck Dinner

Please bring something delicious to share and blankets or chairs to sit on! Some chairs and tables will be provided. Food signup is HERE

7:30pm Adult & Older Kids’ Kickball Game

It's back! Kids 9 and younger, please come and be on the cheer team!

8:45-9:00pm Clean up, head to Evanston Fireworks

Group effort to help clean up, and then head out! Bring your own takeout containers – anything still on the table is fair game for you to bring home for July 5 😉

AND MORE! We need YOU - sign up HERE to help out at the Party!

We can’t wait to see you!

Reach out with any questions to Emily Cavanaugh (832 Ingleside) at

847-521-0057 or emily.n.cavanaugh@gmail.com.

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