Neighborhood
Event Toolkit

Neighborhood events are the best way to build a sense of community in your neighborhood and help build participation in your neighborhood organization.

The purpose of a neighborhood gathering is to rekindle friendships, welcome new neighbors, learn about neighborhood history and more.

Here are some ideas:

• Block party
• Backyard BBQ
• Bake sale
• Spaghetti supper
• Invite the neighbors in for dessert
• Organize a picnic at the local school
• Organize a cookie exchange
• Ice Cream Social
• Bingo Breakfast
• Yard/garage sale
• Taste of the neighborhood
• Kids performance/play
• Battle of the Bands
• Games – ultimate Frisbee, basketball, etc.
• Game night (cards or board games)
• Neighborhood-wide yard or garage sales - Requires permit
• Arts & crafts festival
• Holiday Caroling
• Holiday lighting contest
• Most improved yard contest
• Food drive
• July 4th celebration
• Outdoor film festival
• Neighborhood clean-up day
• Voters registration drive
• Paint a neighborhood mural
• Crime walk - walk to gather with flashlights and bright clothing
• Fireproof Your Landscape 

Follow these simple steps when organizing an event:

• Share ideas & select an event.
• Appoint an event chairperson.
• Set up a committee to organize the event.
• Define committee tasks and budget.
• Develop a timetable.
• Recruit volunteers.
• Seek neighborhood sponsors and partners.
• Get the word out - give advance notice to residents.
• Find a well-known, accessible neighborhood location.
• Pay attention to County regulations about block parties or public gatherings.
• Get the appropriate county neighborhood event permits.
• Select activities to help neighbors meet & greet one another.
• At the event, gather people's contact information & interests.
• Have fun meeting your neighbors.
• Follow up – figure out what did or did not work.
• Remember to say thank you to everyone who helped.

National Neighborhood Day takes place once a year on the third Sunday in September. Orange County and the City of Orlando recognize National Neighborhood Day together.

Find out more and get ideas, forms, and resources to organize a neighborhood event. And please let us know about your event.

Neighborhood Services Division
P.O. Box 1393
Orlando, Fl 32802

Email: ocneighborhoods@ocfl.net
Phone: (407) 836-5606

All e-mail sent to this address becomes part of Orange County public record. Comments received by our e-mail subsystem can be read by anyone who requests that privilege. In compliance with "Government in the Sunshine" laws, Orange County Government must make available, at request, any and all information not deemed a threat to the security of law enforcement agencies and personnel.