Neighbors hold annual block party

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - C.W. Wallace kicked off his get to know your neighbor block party for the 5th year in a row Sunday afternoon.

In the shadow of the KCPT studios at 31st and Grand Ave., C.W. and about 40 of his neighbors gathered in the grassy lot for grilled chicken, baked beans, homemade potato salad and ice cold beverages.

The yearly get together is the brainchild of C.W., a Chicago native, who moved to this Kansas City neighborhood seven years ago.

At that time, C.W. said the area was rundown and had too much drug activity. People who lived here didn't feel safe, because there were so many strangers driving through buying and selling drugs. Wallace said he and other neighbors took a stand and chased these people away, and today it is a much better neighborhood.

C.W. said if you want a good neighborhood, the people who live there need to get to know each other. That's why he started his block party.

Wallace said when neighbors know and care for each other, they'll keep an eye our for each other. Sunday's party will feature about 100 pounds of chicken cooked on a charcoal grill. The baked beans are store bought, but the potato salad is homemade. Wallace said he boiled 40 pounds of potatoes and 3 dozen eggs for potato salad everyone will love.

Saturday's rain postponed the block party, but Wallace said he still wanted it to go on, even in Sunday's heat. There were 40 people, young and old, in the lot by early afternoon enjoying a game of dominos, cards, soccer and visiting with each other. The block party will last until sundown.