A Moment with the Mayor: Building community one Block Party at a time

The need to work together in good times and bad is so critical to every one of us.

As neighbours, we often come together to take care of each other; sometimes, it’s to celebrate something positive, and other times, we gather to grieve and be there for support.

Helping our community no matter where you live gives you the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than yourself. We are all wired for connection … and the neighbourhoods we live in are often the first place that we find it.

The people on your street, or the people just down the hall are our closest contact with the community. Depending on the size of the community you come from, the local church, restaurant, or hall may be the gathering point. Here in Lloydminster, there are various places where people gather regularly for fellowship and coffee, to share a meal, exchange news, compare opinions, and occasionally start a new story about the community. 

There are many other ways that community gets built.  With the support of Cenovus Energy, the City team has built a Block Party Trailer to help assist in building community right in each of our neighbourhoods.

At first glance, the task of organizing a block party can seem daunting. The young and young at heart may need to be entertained and occupied, you may need to have the capacity and ability to cook something, and where will people be able to sit?  All great questions and things to think about in advance of a gathering.

The mobile Cenovus Energy Block Party Trailer comes fully equipped and gets delivered to the site of your gathering.  The Cenovus Energy Block Party Trailer comes equipped with a propane barbecue, a generator, a portable PA system with Bluetooth, 10 picnic tables, a handwashing station, two large coolers, two 10x10 tents and an array of outdoor games and activities. The trailer can be booked through the city website at lloydminster.ca/blockparty.

There are many other ways to help build community, and one of my favourites is just around the corner: fall suppers. These events gather people from various communities to support whatever the local cause is. You will often find old friends and relatives, make new friends, and even see a politician or two. The ability to come together and connect is good for us all. I can truly say that I have never been to a ‘bad’ fall supper.

I hope I have the pleasure of seeing you out and about in Lloydminster or somewhere on the Fall Supper circuit. 

And I think I speak for many in saying… I really hope Councillor Jason Whiting can get the Fall Supper Schedule out soon!

Mayor Gerald S. Aalbers

City of Lloydminster