Brookside Block Party is back in business with food and fun

| September 28, 2023 | 0 Comments

FACE PAINTING was among the many activities offered at the block party, which also included a dessert competition and watermelon-eating contest. Laura Prangley is at far left.

On Sept. 17, the entire neighborhood showed up to welcome the triumphant return of the 41st annual Brookside Block Party. This year’s party took place on the 800 block of Muirfield Road. More than 300 people filled the street to eat, drink, socialize, play and enjoy each other’s company as families have done for four decades. A mariachi band welcomed guests at the check-in table, then neighbors had free rein to make use of the bounce house, water slide, obstacle course, face painting and potluck, and many participated in the dessert competition and watermelon- eating contest.

Summer-fun tunes

ENJOYING THE DAY were Reatha (center) and Owen Smith (right), their daughter Lisa (left), and Clare Shomer, in pink.

A DJ played summer-fun tunes while friendly canines strutted the asphalt runway and showed off their best doggie tricks, with the winners taking home prizes from Tailwaggers and a gift certificate to frame for the mantle.
Pinches Tacos and Mateo’s Paletas filled hungry bellies, offering tacos, rice, beans, corn-on-the-cob, condiments and churros. Each block was instructed to bring an assigned food item or beverage for the communal potluck, and neighbors did not disappoint. There were barrels of soft drinks and beer and wine on ice, along with cold juices for the little ones.

FRIENDLY CANINES strutted the block, and some even took home prizes.

Covering every inch of the communal table were treats and savories, including homemade cream cheese pinwheels with spinach and sun dried tomatoes, veggie bacon jalapeño poppers, lemon basil pasta salad, peanut butter chip cookies, chocolate cake, cheesecake and fruits.

COMMUNAL TABLE offered an assortment of homemade sweet and savory foods.

Fire Station 29

ALL ABOARD. Neighborhood children checked out the equipment from Los Angeles Fire Dept. local Station 29.

From the local station on Wilshire Boulevard and Van Ness Avenue, Los Angeles Fire Dept. Ladder 29 fire trucks showed up to the delight and wonderment of the neighborhood children, who jumped aboard and played “firefighter for a day.” Local businesses, schools and homeowners who donated to the event included Met Him At A Bar, Matteo’s Ice Cream, Trejo’s Tacos, Larchmont Charter School, Louis the Loafer, St. James Episcopal School and the Center for Yoga Larchmont, among many others.

Brookside Neighborhood Association board member Loren Dunsworth was thrilled with the turnout and all of the neighbors who showed up to pitch in, making the party a wildly successful return to normal.

TAKING A REST FROM fun is Ryder Newmark

DECKED OUT were Sylvie Garrigan (left) and friend.

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Category: People

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