Street Feast is back on Sunday June 26th 2022! After such a long time without much interaction or socialising, Street Feast is a great way to get to know your neighbours over some yummy food. Here are some tips for organising a Street Feast for your neighbourhood
If you haven’t heard of Street Feast before, it is a day of local lunches across Ireland hosted by you and your neighbours. They can be anywhere really — out on the street, in a local park or in your front garden. The aim is to get to know your neighbours, to celebrate our local communities, to encourage more life on the streets that we can all benefit from…and to have fun!
In 2019, more than 100,000 people across the country took part in the national day of neighbourhood lunches. This year, Street Feast is 13 years old and its goal remains the same – to build stronger and more resilient communities whilst tackling loneliness and isolation.
Registrations to host a feast and to receive your free party pack will open soon on the Street Feast website.
Tips for Organising a Street Feast for Your Neighbourhood
What better way to get to know your neighbours that little bit better and celebrate the beginning of summer than by coming together to share food and conversation!
Having organised a Street Feast for a few years in my neighbourhood here are some tips from my experience.
#1. Have a Backup Date
Although Street Feast is set for one date, this year it’s Sunday June 26th 2022, we always had a backup date in case of bad weather.
#2. Pick a Good Spot
You want to pick a good, safe spot in your neighbourhood to gather, for example a green area, neighbouring front gardens or a cul de sac where you can keep kids safe and minimise traffic interruption.
#3. Share the Date Around the Neighbourhood
Most neighbourhoods have either a Facebook group or Whatsapp group, but not everyone is in them so ask members to pass on the word to their direct neighbours as well.
You could also consider a printed or handwritten note put through letterboxes up and down the street.
#4. Make it Potluck
It’s just easier for everyone to bring what they want to eat, rather than trying to organise what people bring. Just ask people to make it easy to share. Here are some picnic food ideas if you need some inspiration.
#5. Organise a Gazebo
The chances are with the Irish weather that there may be a spot of rain, so a gazebo or two set up will help keep the event going.
#6. Organise Some Games for the Kids
If you can get some games organised for the kids, that’s always fun – and the adults may join in too!
Other great ideas are frisbees, footballs, obstacle courses, rounders, sidewalk chalk, hopscotch, scavenger hunts and traditional party games.
#7. Stay Safe if Using BBQs
Make sure BBQs are cordoned off from kids running past to minimise accidents. Always keep an eye on smaller kids in particular.
#8. Make it Festive
Brighten up your gardens or the green space with some decorations – bunting, tablecloths, picnic blankets, homemade signs, etc. Get everyone involved – children will love to make pictures to hang in the windows of their house!
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#9. Clean Up As You Go
Have some bin bags and paper towels to hand. There are always spills and rubbish mounts up, so have your clean up gear ready to go and ask a couple of people to help keep on top of the tidy up. It saves a big hassle at the end.
#10. Try to Be Green
Try to be green about what you use for your Street Feast. Bring washable plates, cups and beakers. Don’t use plastic straws. Recycled paper towels are better than brand new napkins.
About the Author: Jill Holtz
