Organizers of the Niles Community Block Party said the event offered members of this diverse community an opportunity to connect in celebration.
The Aug. 26 festival was held on the parking lots of the Niles Senior Center and Culver elementary school, and was a collaboration between the Niles Family Fitness Center and the Niles Public Library. Also contributing to the communitywide day of fun was the Niles fire and police departments, and the village’s Public Works and Human Services departments, according to organizers.
Neighbors came together with food, games and entertainment, in what is billed as the village’s annual family-friendly tribute to the end of summer.
Linda Mathis, who serves as the membership services coordinator for the Niles Family Fitness Center, said this event is a way to give back to the community, a way to thank residents.
“Just as the school year is starting we offer this block party as a way of inviting folks out to see what Niles has to offer, it’s a way of bringing people together,” Mathis said.
This summer finale event included hot dogs and popcorn, inflatables for the children, carnival games, entertainment by Evanston’s School of Rock, a seat on a fire department truck, a drone show and more.
“This celebration ties the community and the municipalities together so that when we come out for an emergency there is that instant connection,” said Bob Greiner, district chief of the Niles Fire Department. “We want to be more approachable to the community and having a more personal connection creates trust.”
Lovely Vergura of Niles said the community block party is a great family outing and makes them feel part of the area.
“The opportunity for the kids to touch the fire truck is like a dream come true,” Vergura said.
Samira Sheikh went to the the Block Party with her sons Aariz 3, and Zavier,11, who joined with other kids to create an artistic rendering of the Niles fire truck insignia in grand scale on the pavement in colored chalk.
“The block party keeps the kids engaged in what community can do for us, and becomes a great sign for diversity and for coming together,” said Sheikh, who traveled from her neighboring hometown of Morton Grove to attend.
Gina Grillo is a freelancer.
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