It's a breeze to enjoy your neighbors and kick up your street's fun factor a notch. Organize a neighborhood gathering and boost community spirit this summer with a block party. We'll show you how to pull it off:

• Start planning at least six to eight weeks in advance. Circulate a survey around the neighborhood to gauge interest, identify available dates and solicit food and activity ideas. Recruit a couple of volunteers to help distribute, collect and sort the results.
• Ask for volunteers to work in committees for:
  

  Invitations and responses

  Activities

  Logistics (locations, permits to block off streets, table-and-chair setup, etc.)

  Food (coordinate with your neighborhood Publix Deli or organize a potluck)

• With your helpers, coordinate a patriotic parade starring neighborhood kids and pets:

  Give the parade meaning by honoring a neighbor who is a veteran of the armed forces.

  Make flyers a few weeks ahead inviting ideas and participation. Create certificates that everyone can win such as Most Patriotic Dog, Biggest Hat and Most Original Bike.

  Call the city office a couple of weeks before to have barricades delivered and ask local firefighters to join the parade aboard a truck.

  Contact all musicians in the neighborhood a week before.

  Pass out balloons and streamers a couple of days ahead so kids can decorate their bikes.

  Invite parents to tote toddlers in strollers and wagons.

• Celebrate a community effort such as park cleanup or tree planting in addition to the holiday.
• Circulate a sign-up sheet around the block so everyone can see what food is being planned and avoid duplications.
• Have a backup plan in place should weather interfere: either schedule a fallback date or stage a traveling garage party where each home hosts a different dish or activity.