Like so many other events and activities this year, our street's annual block party was scrapped in the spring thanks to COVID-19. It was supposed to be in June. That wasn't happening.
When Ohio's numbers were decreasing a month or so ago, it seemed like the perfect time to reschedule. We got the permit, along with a caveat from the city that it could be revoked at any time. We also had to obey a number of pandemic-inspired rules -- no potlucks, for example. No problem.
But as August 1 got closer and closer, the numbers got worse and worse. It was already going to be a smaller event, with many neighbors staying at home or going on vacation. Then our permit was revoked, and the city announced it wouldn't be issuing any for the rest of the year. That meant the street couldn't be blocked off, so the kids couldn't ride their bikes without fear of traffic. Then more households decided to drop out.
So this year's block party was one in name only. We had just a few activities -- socially distanced and faces covered with masks. The kids loved decorating their bikes for the bike parade. And decorating their own masks was a very pandemic-inspired activity!
When the pandemic is over, I hope to have the biggest party the block has ever seen. This, of course, wasn't the year.
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