My neighbor and I saw this great idea for a neighborhood bike parade (sadly, I can't remember the post or I'd show the link) and decided we'd try to do something similar for our street. We did it for July 4th. We invited all the kids (and parents, along with folks with no kids) to come, bring their bike (trike, strollers, scooter, etc.) and we'd supply the decorations and some drinks and snacks. It wound up coming together so nicely - I think better than any of us had expected.
Some hints for success:
1. Have a great neighborhood. Check. Most the kids on our block are within a couple years of each other, all pretty young. The parents are great sports and low-keyed and fun to spend time with.
2. Supply decorations. Check. We had pinwheels, mini flags, red, white and blue streamers, balloons, and plain white paper and some crayons so kids (or their parents) could make a sign with their kid's name for their bike.
3. Random extras. Check. A couple little things we did that seemed to have big rewards: cut the watermelon into star shapes with a cookie cutter. IPOD loaded with July 4th music for the decorating and parade time and then shift it to fun kids/lively adult music for the rest of the event. Bring out the tents when it is so hot. We brought out one and our neighbor kindly brought his huge one over as well. Bring out the kiddie pool(s). All the kids loved this, big and small. Homemade popsicles - mmm.
4. Improvements for next time: supply more "real" lunch food. We had suggested everyone bring a picnic but it wound up that the kids just played and played while the adults chatted and so the only time the kids (or adults) ate was when we'd bring out some food from the house (fruit, some cheese sticks, some PB&J sandwiches, etc.). Next time, we'll just plan on supplying more of the food. Plan the parade a little better - maybe mark off where the kids should start with some caution cones and then where they should turn around with another set of caution cones. Take a group shot of the kids on their decorated bikes while they are lined up but before the parade has actually started.
All in all, so glad we did this. Wound up being a festive way to spend the 4th (day) - I definitely felt more patriotic than normal (from getting/listening to the patriotic music for the IPOD, dressing the boys in red and blue, cutting the watermelon and sandwiches in star shapes, seeing the kids riding their decorated bikes, etc.) and what is more traditional Americana than having a great day with your neighbors?
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