Driveway Parties

[ConnecticutYankee]

Does your neighborhood/street have driveway parties? How often do you have them, and how do you let everyone know when/where/time of the party? Do you have a good turnout? What types of entertainment do you have?

Trying to get some ideas........thanks, Kathy

[jnieman]

When we first moved into our neighborhood several years back no one knew each other. I made a flyer and went door to door and handed them out. At the party I had a sign up sheet so you could write your e-mail address and name and address. From then on we established an email list for the neighborhood. One person made a .pdf file and sent it out to all of us along with periodic updates. Now when we have parties we use the list to send out the invites. Very important that at the bottom of the e-mail I always write "If you notice anyone missing off this e-mail, please forward it to them." That way we don't leave anyone out.

[pbkmaine]

Yes. Once a month driveway party and once a month card game. There's an email list that goes out. Also we go as a group to the Women's Association and entertainment showcases. We are going to aid some charities as a group, too. Did I mention thrifting and exercise class? It's very friendly up here in Santiago.

[wholman66]

In our neighborhood, planned driveway parties are communicated via neighborhood organization email, occasionally by handout. We have at least one every month after couples golf, everyone in neighborhood invited, not just golfers. We also have unplanned impromptu parties, usually the best, just start calling people and word of mouth will spread rapidly... Entertainment not required!!! It's always BYOB and bring your own chair.

[JoMar]

we held a driveway meet and greet two weeks ago, we are in a new neighborhood so everyone was new. It was a BYOB and chair and no food or entertainment. We hand delivered about 30 flyers and asked that they invite their friends and neighbors. What we found was that a couple folks had started web access, and now we have an intranet that lists everyone, has broadcast and individual email communications, has an events section where anyone can contribute, have rented a room at the Manatee Rec Center for a BYOB and bring an appetizer, a ROMEO group, dine out group and a ladies group have been established....all in two weeks and as a result of passing out a plain paper invitations. The lesson learned is that someone has to take the initiative to get it started and then have a group that wants to get involved and share the load......we have block captains that work with other block captains.

[ConnecticutYankee]

we held a driveway meet and greet two weeks ago, we are in a new neighborhood so everyone was new. It was a BYOB and chair and no food or entertainment. We hand delivered about 30 flyers and asked that they invite their friends and neighbors. What we found was that a couple folks had started web access, and now we have an intranet that lists everyone, has broadcast and individual email communications, has an events section where anyone can contribute, have rented a room at the Manatee Rec Center for a BYOB and bring an appetizer, a ROMEO group, dine out group and a ladies group have been established....all in two weeks and as a result of passing out a plain paper invitations. The lesson learned is that someone has to take the initiative to get it started and then have a group that wants to get involved and share the load......we have block captains that work with other block captains.

Awesome!!! What village do you live in? How do you start web access for your neighborhood?

[Bonny]

Our neighborhood in BonnyBrook has several driveway parties a year. They take turns. They collected everyone's email. BYOB, chairs, your own plate and a dish.
The Village of Virginia Trace has set up an awesome website.
virginiatrace.com . Lots of great info on it !

[rubicon]

We have cul de sac parties every month

[chuck90199]

In Charlotte we do a "chair & beverage" social every Wednesday afternoon. Wherever the plastic flamingo lands that day is the driveway we use. It's easier than a full-fledged driveway party that needs food and/or snacks, though we have those sometimes, too. Usually it breaks up after about an hour and small groups head off to a dinner somewhere. It's a great way to keep in touch with your neighbors.

[Warren Kiefer]

does your neighborhood/street have driveway parties? How often do you have them, and how do you let everyone know when/where/time of the party? Do you have a good turnout? What types of entertainment do you have?

Trying to get some ideas........thanks, kathy

we call ours a "driveway social" the host driveway duties are passed around throughout the neighborhood monthly. The host is only responsible for furnishing a driveway and perhaps garage. I post a sign in the hosting yard several days ahead of the social date. The sign says " driveway social, date and time, bring a drink, a chair and sit awhile followed by the host's name. I am aware that some neighborhoods have a pot luck. We only do food on special occasions such as christmas.

[Warren Kiefer]

does your neighborhood/street have driveway parties? How often do you have them, and how do you let everyone know when/where/time of the party? Do you have a good turnout? What types of entertainment do you have?

Trying to get some ideas........thanks, kathy

oh yes, e mail contact is a must.

[Bogie Shooter]

Look on this list of Clubs for your Village/neigherhood, there may already be a social club estalished.

http://www.districtgov.org/images/ClubsListing.pdf

[Warren Kiefer]

Look on this list of Clubs for your Village/neigherhood, there may already be a social club estalished.

http://www.districtgov.org/images/ClubsListing.pdf

I don't think this is what the lady had in mind. Probably just a gathering of neighbors.

[Barefoot]

we call ours a "driveway social" the host driveway duties are passed around throughout the neighborhood monthly. The host is only responsible for furnishing a driveway and perhaps garage. I post a sign in the hosting yard several days ahead of the social date. The sign says " driveway social, date and time, bring a drink, a chair and sit awhile followed by the host's name. I am aware that some neighborhoods have a pot luck. We only do food on special occasions such as christmas.

Warren, I'm intrigued by the simplicity and spontaneity of your driveway socials.
You said you post a sign in the hosting yard several days ahead of the social date.
Do you also notify people by email or with door flyers? Or is the sign in the hosting yard the only notification?