Local organizations will host a block party this weekend for fun, fellowship and to debut a new trailer available for neighborhood block parties in the Ames community. 

The Tripp Street Block Party is a new event this year, hosted by a new youth organization called the AmeZone, along with the Volunteer Center of Story County and Ames Community Conversations. The event was designed by the AmeZone as a way to bring neighbors together, in addition to meeting other people in their surrounding area.

AmeZone decided on Tripp Street for their first project because some of the youth live in the area.

Amanda Martin, community relations manager for the Volunteer Center of Story County, said she hopes the party will be a positive influence for the community as well.

“I hope that it gives neighbors a chance to get to know each other. They might see each other going in and out of the parking lot, or their apartments, but they don’t know their names or anything about them. So, I’m hoping that this will be a chance for people to get together, socially, and get to know a little about each other and just kind of strengthen their community,” Martin said.

The event will also host a variety of activities, music and food for the whole family. Some of the activities for adults include horse shoes and bean bag games.

For the children, there will be a learning center, various educational games and a presentation by Ames’ fire fighters. The food will include hamburgers, along with a potluck. Attendees are encouraged to bring a side dish.

In addition, the Tripp Street Block Party will use the Street‘N’Greet Block Party Trailer for the first time.

The idea of having a trailer was developed during the Ames Community Conversations last November. The idea behind the discussion was based on helping strengthen the community, in hopes of encouraging new friendships, by offering a trailer to the residents of Ames to rent for their own neighborhood block party.

The trailer is available from July 31 to Oct. 11, and is loaded with party essentials such as tables, chairs, outdoor games, a sound system, barricades, nametags and a first-aid kit, according to a press release.

When an individual rents this trailer, the city of Ames will deliver and pick it up, retrieve the proper permits and close off the street where the party is located.

Besides convince, the trailer is also free to any individual over the age of 18 in the Ames area wanting to throw a block party in their neck of the woods.

“We’re hoping that neighborhoods that don’t have strong associations will use the trailer to connect with their neighbors more than they have before. The main goal is to get people out in their neighborhoods and talking to people they don’t know and haven’t really got the chance to meet yet,” said Laura Logsdon, member of the AmeriCorps.

Tripp Street Block Party

4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday

West end of Tripp Street.

Rain date: 4:30 p.m. Sunday

For those interested in renting the Street ‘N’ Greet Block Party Trailer, call (515) 239-5350 or go to

http://streetngreet.webs.com.