By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
Why, exactly, does the City of Burlington need to continue the community block party?
That was the question raised Tuesday night by Alderman Tom Preusker, who said he asked for the item to be placed on the agenda due to a number of complaints that the event took attendance away from fundraisers each fall.
Preusker also said that he had received complaints that it wasn’t the city’s place to hold the block party each year.
“Is this something we want to be doing?” he asked.
The block party came about in 2012 during a prolonged drought that forced the city to postpone its annual Fourth of July fireworks. After a series of discussions in the Common Council, the idea of the block party moved forward – an event to hold in conjunction with the fireworks display.
While the fireworks have reverted to the Fourth of July, the block party has remained. It has since been moved to Devor Park near the community pool, and incorporated numerous bouncy houses, children’s activities, carnival-style games and an evening movie.
Preusker said he had heard objections with the block party conflicting with such events like the St. Mary’s and St. Charles’ Fall Fests, and said he didn’t want to be taking people away from other organization’s major fundraisers.
However, Alderman Ruth Dawidziak – who has, in large part organized the block party – said she felt people would attend both … and she has heard positive comments about the block party.
“The comments, the feedback, it’s just incredible,” she said. She and Mayor Bob Miller both said that some children have even donated money each year to ensure the event keeps happening.
While the donation isn’t monetarily huge – Miller estimated it to be about $17 – it did, to him, show a continued interest in the event. In the past, support has also been shown at the City Council meetings because the party is a cheap alternative to ChocolateFest.
“There are so few events we have that bring the community together,” Alderman Jon Schultz said. “I don’t mind that we spend money on the block party.”
Added Alderman Bob Grandi, “I think this is what makes us a better community.”
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