Smoke Tree hosts annual block party

SISTERS-Devyn Gortner, 12, takes her sister Danica, 2, for a ride on the water slide, one of many fun activities for children at an annual neighborhood block party in Oak Park. Although the girls don't live in the neighborhood, they've been invited by friends to participate for several years. The Oak Park block party that started as a way to get to know the neighbors and foster community spirit has blossomed into a full-fledged yearly shindig with water slides, contests and a heap of family fun.

Last Saturday, about 30 Smoke Tree residents and friends and family from other neighborhoods kicked off the school year with their eighth annual block party.

Although the event featured the usual barbecued burgers and blasting music, Smoke Tree residents enjoyed a bit more pizazz at their bash with an array of activities for adults and children alike.

Kids enjoyed a water slide, piatas, snow cones, carnival games and, in the evening, the movie "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" was shown on the big screen of a resident's garage door.

Local teens who could barely remember a time when there wasn't a block party held on their street cast themselves as official face painters for the afternoon, and there was even a doughnuteating contest.

The adults competed in a "margarita mix-off" and cooled off with premium beer on tap. Live music in the form of jazz sessions added to the merry ambience.

Smoke Tree resident Shari Keba said the party has changed in form over the years. At first it was fashioned after Oktoberfest celebrations, but the cool fall weather prompted a neighborhood vote to change the date to Labor Day weekend, when the sun is still bright, the days long, and soccer season hasn't started yet.

Keba's son, Michael, 18, was happy to participate in another block party before he headed off to college at UC Davis.

"The block party has been a vital experience in my childhood life," he said.

Danica Gortner, 12, was invited to join in the festivities, and said "It's fun, very fun."

Oak Park High School sophomores Lauren Carson and Rebecca Makitalo took their face-painting jobs seriously, and encouraged participation by first painting themselves from head to toe.

The bash ended around 11 p.m. and celebrants said a good time was had by all.