Block Party
Editor’s note: It takes a team of professional writers to cover Lansing news and contribute articles to the daily online edition as well as the monthly print issue. We asked our contributors to choose a favorite story from the past year and explain what made it special for them.
by Jennifer Yos
As a reporter for The Lansing Journal, I attend more activities and events happening in Lansing throughout the year than I might otherwise endeavor as a senior Lansing resident. One event I covered on June 8 of 2019 turned out to be a pleasant surprise and a personal favorite—the Lansing Public Library’s Block Party. I confess that prior to covering this event, I was unaware it has been an annual event for the past 11 summers!
What took my attention when I first arrived was the impressive crowd of Lansing residents—young, old, and every age in between—happily milling about and engaging with one another on the library’s front lawn and on Indiana Avenue.
Children were playing a variety of kid-friendly lawn games, teens were line dancing in front a video/music dance truck, while older residents sat in chairs arranged conveniently close to the library doors listening to live folk music.
I saw families interacting with Lansing fire fighters, EMTs, and police, who gladly assisted children in exploring their fire, ambulance, and police vehicles. Village officials and trustees greeted residents with handshakes, and local restaurant vendors provided block party food.
What was so compelling about this particular event, so skillfully organized and graciously hosted by Library Director Debbie Albrecht and her staff, was that it captured a friendly and relaxed spirit that every community desires—neighbors enjoying a perfect summer evening block party together.
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