Everyone loves a party – a time to be with family, friends and neighbours!
Summer is a perfect time to be outside for a picnic for fun and food.
Many organizations have caught on with hosting an annual block party in the warmer months of June, July and August. In recent years, some of those events have grown into a community block party.
High Prairie has a unique block party in the summer with a special feature – to promote community support and social programs and services.
For more than 10 years, Heart River Housing has hosted the annual High Prairie Block Party that brings together community organizations, social and health services and support agencies that serve the local region.
The High Prairie and District Children’s Resource Council co-hosted with the housing authority in 2026 and 2024.
People living in rural regions and small communities in northern Alberta often underestimate how many services there and their families and friends can access.
No matter where people make their home, in rural or urban communities, support services and programs are vital and it’s important to make those resources accessible and let people know what’s available.
When the block party started, it was a small event – designed solely for Heart River clients in the community.
In 2019, the event drew 110 people and nine exhibitors.
After being cancelled for a few years after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in spring 2020, the event was revived with overwhelming support and a farther reach into the community.
When the block party was held in June in 2024, the event attracted a record crowd of an estimated 400 people and 23 organizations, services and agencies.
That was the year, the High Prairie CRC partnered to co-host the event that helped expand the event.
Many people didn’t realize the local region was served by so many services, with only a few of them based outside the region.
Still, many services are easily accessible, particularly with online computer services or just a phone call away.
The list of participating organizations and agencies provide programs and services for health, children and youth, family and community support, education and library services, Indigenous services, food bank, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, women’s emergency shelter, victims of crime and social housing, along with municipal programs and services.
The housing authority hopes other communities can catch the same spirit of support.
Great things can happen in community when organizations work together.
May it inspire other regions to follow and help build healthy communities – stronger together.
Richard Froese