Street party builds community in Westmount neighbourhood

What are streets for? Sometimes they’re for getting from point A to B. And sometimes they’re a place to build community.

For the Westmount Neighbourhood Association, their street is the setting for an annual BYOP party – Bring Your Own Picnic.

Local residents arrange with the city to close off one of the streets in the neighbourhood so neighbours can get outside, mingle and have fun. The street becomes alive with laughter and conversation.

The keys to a good street party? Food, of course! Everyone brings their own picnic lunch. And live music! Everyone loves a raucous band performing on the street.

Add some activities like a slip ‘n slide, crafts and painting - and people picnicking all over front yards and sidewalks - and the street party becomes enjoyable for folks of all ages.

For Westmount residents, a street party is ice cream and waterguns, summer heat and silly hats. It’s new conversations and strangers turning into neighbours. It’s bubbles and sidewalk chalk and sunsets.

 And it all happens right on the street. “Streets are our community,” shares Westmount neighbourhood resident Kate Swift.

Find out how to host a street party on Neighbours Day, the second Saturday in June every year.

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