Rock Your Block
Neighbourhood block parties are a great opportunity for neighbours to have fun while getting to know other families in their area.
Neighbourhood block parties are a great opportunity for neighbours to have fun while getting to know other families in their area.
Residents who would like to host a neighbourhood block party are required to complete the two forms below. Please allow up to two weeks for your application to be processed.
Reserve the Rock Your Block Block Party Trailer today and host the ultimate block party in your neighbourhood.
There is no cost to use the trailer; however, those using it are required to pick up the trailer from the Okotoks Recreation Centre (ORC), provide your own filled propane tank and return the trailer to the ORC in the same condition you found it in. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis and can be made online using the link below. Please note, only one time slot per day is available. Repeat bookings for the same location are not permitted at this time.
The trailer is equipped with everything needed to host the ultimate block party in your neighbourhood, including toys and games, tables and chairs, a BBQ and a portable speaker.
The trailer can only be used by residents of Okotoks for neighbourhood events within Town limits. The trailer is not available for commercial use or for private functions such as weddings, birthdays, house parties, etc. The trailer is not intended to support causes, campaigns or special interest initiatives. This includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:
When you make a reservation, you become the Event Host. As the Event Host, you are responsible for the trailer and its contents for the duration of your reservation.
Picking Up the Block Party Trailer
Once you have reserved the Block Party Trailer, you will receive a booking confirmation. Please take this to the Okotoks Recreation Centre (ORC) front desk so you can pick up the keys to the Trailer. The Trailer will be parked at the north east corner of the ORC building. The keys will unlock the trailer doors as well as the trailer hitch.
Trailer Details
The trailer is 16 feet total length. The trailer is currently set up with a pintle and ring style hitch. The pintle hitch will allow anyone with a 2 inch receiver to tow this unit. In addition, the trailer will have a 6 pin trailer plug installed. A 7 pin convertor plug which should allow most trucks to tow this unit is also provided. It is recommended that the towing vehicle being used to pick up and drop off of the Rock Your Block Party Trailer should have the capacity to tow at least 3,500lbs.
Returning the Block Party Trailer
At the end of your Rock Your Block Party event, you are required to:
In this guide you will find a step-by-step process for planning your event, along with templates that can be used in your planning. Also included are some suggested activities for your event, and considerations to make in order to provide an event that will be welcoming and inclusive for all people in your neighbourhood.
It’s a good idea to find one or two neighbours to help you with the event. One can take the ”Lone Ranger” approach, and it can be a great event. However, it may make it more difficult to find someone else to organize it next year.
When putting together a committee, it is important to include everyone in the decisions about the event. If this is the first time hosting a block party, you may want to send out a flyer to explain what a block party is, encourage attendance, perhaps share some of the benefits, get opinions on how to handle the food, and possible dates and times to have the event. (See the Tools and Templates section). Enlist as many neighbours as you can to help out. Someone can type the flyer; someone else can collect them. You may want to ask some kids to drop the flyers in the mailboxes.
Which type of block party will work best in your neighbourhood?
Try not to go overboard, it can make people feel the event is too much work. Keep it simple!
Residents who would like to host a neighbourhood block party are required to complete the two forms below. Please allow up to two weeks for your application to be processed.
It is important to keep neighbours informed - ideally two weeks before event. Here are some ideas:
Open burning for cooking or recreational purposes contained within a non-combustible receptacle is allowed, and does not require a permit. To learn more visit Okotoks Fire Pits & Permits
Refer to Alberta Health Services (AHS) Special Events for information related to food safety.
What should we do during the event?
Suggested Activities:
Connecting With All Neighbours
Our community is growing increasingly diverse, which is a benefit to everyone by providing opportunities to learn about other people. It is important when we build our neighbourhoods that they are welcoming and inclusive for all people, from different cultures, backgrounds and ways of life.
Cultural Connections
Why Connect With Your Neighbours?
Connected neighbours leads to positive individual and community well-being: feeling safe; being engaged and having an overall sense of belonging.
Neighbourhood Action
When neighbours connect with each other there is an opportunity to take collective action on an issue or project that will benefit all neighbours of the community. You can take a brief moment before the celebration to have a discussion, or plan for a community discussion group. Plan a clean up day, build a bench, plant a garden or paint street numbers as part of the Block Party activities, or as an activity for another day - be creative!
We are pleased to offer the Rock Your Block Party Trailer free of charge.
Yes, due to safety during transportation, you will need to supply your own propane. A BBQ is included in the trailer.
Regulations state that when transporting a trailer, the liability coverage on the towing vehicle automatically extends to the towed vehicle. This is the case as long as the towing vehicle is insured according to provincial minimums (third party liability or commonly referred to as PLPD).
The area to be closed is restricted to cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets, generally described as ‘Closes’ or ‘Places’. Closures of through streets shall not be considered unless special roadway characteristics prevail.
Driver’s license and proof of insurance.
The Rock Your Block Party Trailer comes with everything you need to host a block party. If you are planning a block party, renting the trailer is an easy way to ensure you have everything you need. The Rock Your Block Party Trailer comes with: