(Not Your Typical) Block Party

Will be hosting an open-format Block Party, transforming the Benson Creative District into a vibrant, car-free gathering space filled with opportunities for connection, creativity, and play. This dynamic community festival will encourage free-flowing engagement, ensuring attendees of all ages can explore, interact, and celebrate in a way that feels natural and welcoming.

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The Block Party will feature a diverse array of activities that highlight Benson’s history, creativity, and strong sense of community:

• A live community mural installation, allowing attendees to contribute to a shared public artwork.

• A historical Benson walking tour, giving participants a deeper understanding of the neighborhood’s rich past.

• Comedy performances, poetry readings, one-act plays, and live bands across Benson’s venues and outdoor spaces.

• A dedicated Kid Zone with interactive games like Benson-based coloring books, bingo, hopscotch, and oversized family-friendly lawn games like cornhole, plinko, Connect Four, and Jenga.

• A lively beer garden, creating a relaxed space for conversation and celebration.

• Live musical performances throughout the festival footprint, featuring local talent.

• The Benson-area Nonprofit Marketplace, where local organizations can share resources, engage with residents, and strengthen neighborhood connections.

 

By closing the streets to motor vehicles for the day, the Benson Block Party will give residents and visitors the unique opportunity to experience the creative district in a new way—as a space designed for walking, biking, dancing, and spontaneous interaction. This “open streets” approach will not only ensure a safe, car-free environment but also encourage alternative transportation and active lifestyles, reinforcing the idea that our public spaces are meant to be shared, reimagined, and enjoyed by all.