Ravinia Neighbors Host Block Party Saturday

This Saturday, the is throwing a block party to highlight its neighborhood and raise awareness for local businesses and non-profit organizations. 

The event, held Saturday from noon till 5 p.m, is an opportunity for family and friends to participate in an afternoon of sun, fun, food and prizes.

“We’re hoping to make this a really great community gathering,” said RNA board member .

This year’s block party (or The Bash as it’s being referred to) offers an array of activities and hot spots, including a treasure hunt revealing hidden neighborhood gems, live music and entertainment, arts and crafts. Local vendors will offer food and sidewalk sales on Roger Williams Avenue.

The Bash is also holding a raffle that will feature prizes donated by local merchants, sponsors, individuals and community groups. Prizes include cookies, dinners and massages. The grand prize a 12”, refurbished iBook donated by Brian Sugarman of MACnician in Highland Park. 

There are also prizes for kids, including a gift certificate to a violin workshop, a children’s boutique, and two gift certificates for two dozen cookies donated by Carol’s Cookies. The Bash will also feature a bouncy house and party games.  

The Ravinia Fire Department is even bringing one of their fire engines for the kids to marvel at.  

“It’s just one of those quintessential Ravinia things,” Cerf said. 

Cerf added that outreach from the community so far has been overwhelming.  

“This has been a one hundred percent volunteer effort and we’re very grateful to all our sponsors,” Cerf said.  “A lot of them went above and beyond what we could have imagined.”  Ravinia restaurants like Abigail’s volunteered their restaurant space for meetings as well as food and gift certificates for the raffle.

While the goal of the Bash is to raise awareness about the Ravinia neighborhood as well as the RNA, it’s also a good way to boost circulation in the Ravinia Business District.

“Since new business were popping up in the business district, they were all sort of clamoring to increase foot-traffic in their area,” said Cerf, “We were more than happy to help out.”

Raffle tickets are still on sale at the Ravinia Reading Center, Belle Fleur and Calm Massage Therapy Center (all located downtown). Tickets are $2 each or $5 for three. 

Details about the event can be found at www.ravinianeighbors.org.