 Street Party – Quick 5! Posted by Anna Sugden Jun 9 2012, 12:36 am
As most of you probably know, this past weekend (all four days of it! Wooohooo!) was a huge celebration in Britain. Our beloved Queen has been on the throne for 60 years – a feat no other monarch, except Queen Victoria, has managed. In true British style we went all out with our festivities. Not just the official pageants, concert, regatta, service and beacon lighting, but all across the land – indeed, across the world – we got out our bunting and had a party! Sadly, also in true British style, the weather was terrible! You can always forecast the weather for a Bank Holiday (public holiday) over here … rain! Did that stop us from having a good time? Definitely not!
Dunkirk spirit kicked in and we all pulled together and made the best of a bad situation. Despite howling wind and driving rain, street parties were held up and down the land. Here in our street, the hardy neighbours gathered together to string bunting, erect gazebos to protect those outside and help set up an alternative venue at a bold volunteer’s house for those who wanted to stay warm and dry, especially the older folk. Our barbecuers braved the elements to cook food, while others braved the rambunctious children to keep them entertained!
A wonderful time was had by all! In fact, we had such a good time at both this year’s and last year’s to celebrate the Royal Wedding, we plan to make it an annual summer event. We might even try to schedule it away from a Bank Holiday to try and get better weather The formula for the success was simple – everyone contributed – kind of like here in the Lair, but without the gladiators, cabana boys and hockey hunks. We all brought food and drink, utensils, plates, cool boxes, garden furniture and, of course, countless brollies!
1. Do you have street parties where you are? Are they for special celebrations or regular events? 2. Have you ever had to deal with bad weather and how did it go?
3. Favourite street party food? Are you one to stay by the salads or hover near the desserts? 4. Favourite street party drink? 5. What special dish(es) do you provide for your street parties? Tweet Posted in Anna Sugden, celebrations, Diamond Jubilee, food and drink, Street Party, weather Comments43 thoughts on “Street Party – Quick 5!” |
   
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There aren’t any street parties on my street, but every so often they shut down the streets around here for fairs. There are also seem to be a parade happening every weekend. I do like to go to the San Gennaro Feast in Little Italy and sample the sausage and onions and zeppoles.
Jane, congrats on the GR!
New York is a wonderful place for street fairs, Jane. We used to love all the different things going on. Oh yes, love Little Italy too!
Anna, I had to laugh. I’ve never actually been to a street party. They’re not a big thing here, unlike in England. And the silly thing is we have much better weather for outdoor celebrations than you guys have. Except for today when it’s cold and wet and really just a day to curl up with a good book or a bad man! Glad you had a wonderful time for the jubilee. God Save the Queen. It’s our Queen’s birthday holiday on Monday.
We should start up a new tradition. They have to begin somewhere, sometime, with someone.
Mary, I’ll bring the white Christmas. Oh, that’s right. It’s June!
You can always make it for Christmas in July Anna lol
Hey, good thinking, 99! I haven’t had it for years but I used to really like it. Might think it was horribly sweet these days, though.
I have fond memories of a rainy day in your house, Anna, curled up on the sofa, with the fire going and chatting.
You’re right. Oz is definitely the place for something like a street party.
Anna, that’s exactly the sort of day we’re having today. Looks like another miserable winter coming up. Do you remember that wild day we went to that restaurant at the beach? I thought we were going to get washed away to South America!
Hi Anna
I have never had a street party in Australia but I never came to Australia til 1979 and can remember having a street party in the UK for the Silver Jubilee… it was a lovely day and we had a party in the afternoon for the kids … I even knitted my 2 kids a red white and blue jacket …..and a BBQ at night for the adults ….. like you we had such a good time we had the adult one every few months and we all contributed
The Silver Jubilee was such a fun celebration, Barb. i don’t remember it very well, but it was as fun as the Diamond Jubilee. We didn’t have the long tables with everyone sat at them – much to one enighbour’s frutration. She missed out for the Silver Jubilee and had hoped to make up for it this year … Nut not possible with the rain.
Street Parties aren’t really a big thing in Australia. I’m also not one to follow the Royals either… I know that sounds bad, but really, I’m a great believer that Australia should be old enough to stand on her own two feet, have her own laws, by-laws, money and be able to work off her own government without having to lean back on the UK each and every time.
You see, we were a prison camp to start with, and a lot of Aboriginals still don’t like it that the Europeans interfered with their lives all that time ago… believe me, I don’t either. I do believe that Australia should be able to work with the indigenous people and we should be able to work together happily.
I’m just not into the Royal Family as much as other people are…
No problem, Mozette. You have to stand up for what you believe in.
The great thing for us celebrating – whether you’re a fan of the Royals or not – was that it brought the nation together and made us all proud to be British.
No street parties for celebrations, but we do have festivals where streets are closed and vendors set up booths.. usually an art festival.. We do ‘tailgate’ for home football [American - not rugby]..in the parking lots outside the stadiums.. lots of food, drink and companionship..
Did watch a lot of the Jubilee on BBCAmerica.. I believe one of the BBC commentators indicated that the Silver Jubilee had the best weather for any of the Queen’s celebrations of her reign…
We had such fun tailgating when we lived in the US, Cate. It always amazed me how professional some tailgaters seemed to be with all their fancy equipment! Especially at FedEx Field before a Redskins game!
I loved watching the festivities on t.v. for Queen Elizabeth! What a dignified and wonderful monarch she has been! God Bless the Queen!
1. Do you have street parties where you are? Are they for special celebrations or regular events?
Actually, this summer, the neighborhood is going to have a block party. Sometimes we meet in one person’s yard and do potluck and other times we do like a traveling dinner; one house has appetizers, another has the grill fired up, another has desserts.
2. Have you ever had to deal with bad weather and how did it go?
No. My grandma never said the word picnic, truly. She thought it would bring rain, so she always had us come to her home for an outdoor BBQ.
3. Favourite street party food? Are you one to stay by the salads or hover near the desserts?
Ha, desserts! I do like cole slaw and kidney bean salad and deviled eggs, though.
4. Favourite street party drink?
Not sure. Limeade or lemonade or iced tea.
5. What special dish(es) do you provide for your street parties?
I like to make deviled eggs. (My mom says, “When in doubt what to make, make deviled eggs.” I also make brownies or Black Raspberry Bars.
I remember my parents having several travelling dinner parties when I was growing up in VA, Deb. They sound like such fun!
Love Devilled Eggs. They used ot be ne of my speicalities when we lived in the US too. Funny how I never thing of making them over here. Maybe I’ll try some for next year’s street party and see how they go down.
When I was younger we had lots of street parties. It’s a great way to get to know your neighbors! I notice that my daughters often have street parties in their neighborhood, but not so much in mine, which is fast becoming an area of older folks LOL.
Hmm, I love to stay by the barbecued weinnies simmering in the crockpot. Of course, desserts are a MUST!
I think that’s why our two street parties have been so successful, Jo. It’s been a great way to get to know the neighbours and people have got great community spirit thansk to the parties. I think some feuds may even have been healed!
Meant to say congratulations on the national holiday, Anna. What a great tradition. It’s hard to believe Elizabeth has been queen so long. I recently saw a picture of her and her husband shortly after her coronation, juxtaposed with one of them recently. So sweet!
thanks! We’re very proud of her, Jo. It’s an amazing achievement in the modern world to have kept going with the dignity and poise that she has. It’s also great to see the younger generation modernising the monarchy, giving us hope for the future.
I have only seen street parties on tv-I have never been to one-they sound like fun.
They are fun, Gail. I think the bad weather kind of makes it fun too because everyone pulls together and is determined to enjoy things despite the rain and wind!
Street parties have been popular events both in the neighborhood where I now live and in the last neighborhood where we lived in Florida. We have one in the fall, one over Memorial Day, on July 4th and, sometimes, just because we feel like it. One of my neighbors owns a rental company and always supplies tables, tents, chairs, etc. Everybody else brings the food!
We’re blessed with a lot of great cooks in this neighborhood. I know I’m going to have fabulous desserts to sample but wonderful salads, veggies and meats too.
My favorite dish to bring is deviled eggs. Except for the July 4th party. We have wonderful peach orchards here and they’re at their best in July so for that party I make Peach Trifle. Mmmm. Mmmm. Good!
Oooh sounds wonderful, PJ! We know various friends who have July 4 and Labor Day parties which were always fun.
Yum … Peach trifle … Sounds delish! You’ll have to share the recipe!
Anna, my parents and their neighbors used to do street parties on July 4. Our particular street here doesn’t do them, alas. I don’t remember my folks contending with bad weather. My favorite street party foods are potato salad, watermelon, and Mrs. Caldwell’s cupcakes with Hershey bar icinb.
I watched the flotilla down the Thames. It was very impressive. I don’t think Her Majesty sat during the trip. But it really was a very raw day.
Americans always seem to make great potato salad, Nancy. Ours over here is never as nice. Must find a good recipe, because I’m a big lover of potato salad.
I felt sorry for the Queen … 4 hours on her feet at her age was a heck of a feat. I would have struggled! And in the cold and wet too. She did marbellously all through the celebrations.
Anna, in my neighborhood, we don’t have street parties. However, the neighborhood had a big party for Memorial Day at the neighborhood pool! Here in the Cary, NC area (and elsewhere in the state that I’ve seen) this seems to be the trend for neighborhoods. It’s so stinking hot, you have to have a pool for people to jump in to cool down!
Since it’s high school graduation time now, there are about a million cookouts going on every day of the week. We went to one the other night and at least six other kids on the street had graduated the same day. Finding room to park on the street was a challenge! One of our other friends pulled up at the same time and said if we hadn’t been there and known the house, she might have spent quite a while at one of the other parties before realizing it wasn’t the right one!
My youngest daughter is graduating in 2 hours’ time. I’m off to fluff my hair!
Congrats on your daughter’s graduation, Caren! Hope she has a lovely day.
We had puddles to jump in … Not quite the same thing! LOL
How lovely to be able to have parties and jump in the pool. If only …
1. Do you have street parties where you are? Are they for special celebrations or regular events? Our uncle use to have one every year but I guess too many people moved away and he no longer does it.
2. Have you ever had to deal with bad weather and how did it go? We moved into a huge empty garage and it was just as much fun.
3. Favourite street party food? Are you one to stay by the salads or hover near the desserts?
Salads and appetizers are my favorites.
4. Favourite street party drink? Margaritas!
5. What special dish(es) do you provide for your street parties? I usually take jumbo shrimp and sauce.
Our garages are too full of junk, catslady, to have been able to hold anything more than a mouse’s party! LOL
Jumbo shrimp and sauce sounds excellent. Do you have a good recipe for sauce?
No, lol. Heinz cocktail sauce usually lol.
Darn – was hoping for something I could use as we don’t get that cocktail sauce over here!
So glad you had a marvellous time, VA! Isn’t the Queen amazing? I love our annual street party–one family always hosts and it’s usually on a verandah so no need to worry about rain so much. Everyone brings a plate and a bottle or two. Usually I buy what I bring (cheeses or pate) at a beautiful deli but I think next time I will probably be the host and do a few hot items. I’m too busy gabbing to eat much at these things but fave drink is a crisp white wine–keeping in mind these parties happen at the height of our summer! We tend to keep to ourselves during the year but we really enjoy this get together. Having put our neighbours through the pain of a renovation lately, I suspect it’s our turn to host this year!
It sounds like you live in a similar neighbourhood to us, Christina. We all keep pretty much to ourselves the rest of the year too.
Yum, a crisp white wine sounds great! I must admit to having indulged in Pimms during our street party. Love it!
Hi, Anna,
1. No block parties as a rule, National Night
Out usually sees a few gatherings. NNO is a
community building function in our area!
2. Hurricane season = bad weather for us.
Houston found itself under flood waters
caused by T. S. Allison’s torrential rains in 2001 . We lost DD2 & son temporarily when they had to be rescued by boat & taken to shelter. In 2008, we were narrowly missed by a tornado during Hurricane Ike. The city was virtually closed down by having a total power black-
out. We were “powerless” for 13 days begin-beginning on September 13!
Goodness, Pat – sounds like you have a real time of it! Our rain and wind was nothing like even tropical storm status, let alone hurricane.
Glad your DD and son were safe!
We used to have regular court parties in the neighborhood I lived in. Everyone would bring their own chair, appetizers and something for the barbeque, and a side to share. It was always fabulous, and usually ended up with someone falling drunk into the bushes. My bushes, sadly, because my butterfly bush was the softest *g* But after awhile most of the regulars moved away and the parties sort of fell by the wayside. In our new neighborhood, we did attend a holiday street party in Dec that was great fun.
I’d always do whatever side dish struck my fancy. Potato salad or veggies of some kind. And a theme dessert. My favorite was the Halloween party I decorated sugar cones to look like witches hats and filled them with candy, then sealed the bottom with a layer of cake. Yummy and cute *g*
You’re so clever, Tawny! Your witches’ hats sounds great! My cupcakes were a big hit – thanks to the recipe from the Magnolia bakery in NY (yes, the one of Sex and the City fame!) – but the decorating was definitely second rate. The cookies and cake you see in the pic on the blog were done by a couple of our neighbour’s girls – they well outdid me!
1. We don’t have street parties in my neighborhood, but because I live in a small town there are a number of street festivals to celebrate different holidays. The food and music are always fun! When I was in grad school we had street parties in the married housing complex and the best part was the diversity of dishes we had. The University of Southern MS attracted a large foreign population and most of these students lived in married housing aka The Olympic Village. I tried a number of exotic dishes for the first time at these parties and it was always a wonderful time.
2. Does having a street party during a hurricane count?
3. Favorite street party food? Deviled eggs, hands down. Good mustard potato salad. And the chicken curry my friend Avril made for those Uni street parties.
4. Sweet tea – the house wine of the South!
5. My hamburger garbage – trust me, it tastes better than it sounds! And my French silk pie.
LOL Having a street party during a hurricane definitely counts! Sounds a very British thing to do!
Intrigued – what does your hamburger garbage involve?
Louisa and Anna,
I’m interested in the ” hamburger garbage”
recipe, too! I’m always looking for new recipes
for cook-outs and family parties.
Pat C.