It's 9AM

Are You Having Fun Yet?

Chris Lowry

Jul 31, 2023

Is it too late to go, she asked.

I said no.

Even though we’d only get in a few hours.

Even though it would still be 98 degrees when the sun set.

Plenty of time, I assured her.

Eight years ago, we were driving through downtown and saw a street blocked off and a stage.

I asked if she was up for an adventure and we found a block party.

A block birthday party for a brewery.

It was in a tiny little building that looked like a corner grocery store for an old neighborhood trying to gentrify.

But there was cold beer being served from under a tent, and the grounds of an old house next to it were open for strolling and viewing.

There was a girl on the stage singing pop tunes like soul songs, and the promise of a bigger band later.

And two food trucks.

But it was fun.

A blast even.

And the next year, we went back.

All but one year since, the last weekend in July, we’ve made the block party.

Like a tradition supporting small business in mid-size southern towns.

The music is loud, the beer is cold but everyone is smiling, even if the grounds are no longer open for strolling while the old house goes through a legal battle for possession.

Progress.

While we were sitting in camp chairs and rocking the block, there was a second party happening in an old downtown mall converted into office buildings.

Billed as a 90’s party and hosted by the downtown partnership, it was as busy as the block party with one or two perks.

Air conditioning and impersonators.

Brittney Spears and Snoop Dogg.

Or versions of them at least, and by the pictures and videos, damn good ones.

It was a success, for downtown on a Saturday night, which rolls down the shutters and rolls up the sidewalks, except for certain blocks which have “night life.”

And just across the River, the Trav’s were hosting a home game while a few blocks from it, two local comedians performed at a home grown comedy club and three joints had live music.

All within walking distance of each other.

It’s not bragging to say that it was a happening weekend in town, or the downtown area of it.

It’s just when I hear people say “there’s nothing to do” I don’t quite understand what they mean.

There’s always fun to be had, or at least decent people watching.

Plus, every time we roll up on a street fair or festival and stop, we run into a few familiar faces.

Maybe that’s how community is built.

I’ve watched the evolution of a few block parties and events around town.

Some, like the brewery, work.

Some, like the artisanal cheese shop in the old gas station, do not.

Yes, there was one. Yes, they had a block party to celebrate being there.

Yes, we did stop, and had beer and cheese and listened to the band.

It’s hard to pass up a street party.