This year’s Spring Block Party brought downtown College Place to life with laughter and connection. Students, families, local businesses, and community organizations gathered for an afternoon centered on community and joy.
Booths offered activities, music, plants, candy, and simple ways for people to pause and connect. As students and neighbors visited each booth, children played nearby, and the whole street felt alive with welcome and warmth. One volunteer described the atmosphere by saying, “Honestly, it’s just been a lot of positivity.”
Many organizations joined Block Party because it gave them a chance to connect with people in real and meaningful ways. Instead of focusing on sales or promotion, several booths chose to share positivity, spark conversations, and create a welcoming space for everyone. One volunteer shared, “We’re not really trying to sell anything here, just spread positivity.” Another participant explained that they enjoyed “letting people in the community know what we’re doing and how we’re operating,” adding that there was strong interest among attendees throughout the afternoon.
A favorite spot for many families during the event was the Center for Humanitarian’s Tool Library, which had an interactive station where children and adults hammered nails into a large wooden board. All day, people gathered around, laughing and seeing who could fit more nails into the crowded wood. By the afternoon, the board was so full it had started to crack. “That board’s going to split in half,” one person joked as kids kept hammering away nearby.
Community partners shared that Block Party was beneficial because it allowed them to introduce themselves to people who might not otherwise have known about their work. Several organizations said they enjoyed having conversations with students and community members while explaining what they do and how they serve the community. Others appreciated the simple joy of the event itself, from giving away candy and stickers to seeing people enjoy the plants and activities throughout the street.
The activities and booths drew people in, but it was the sense of community that mattered most. Strangers became friends through simple conversations, students spent time together outdoors, and neighbors gathered in a joyful, relaxed space. Small moments—sharing candy, admiring plants, laughing at the nail board, or meeting someone new—showed how welcoming Block Party truly was.
Events like Block Party help build lasting relationships between the university and the community. With 79 booths and 2,500-3,000 in attendance, this event was more than just a fun afternoon; it gave people a place to gather, support one another, and enjoy being together. As the day ended and people headed home, what remained was a sense of connection, positivity, and hope.
To find more photos from the event, check out @che.wwu on Instagram, and to learn about more opportunities for community connection, subscribe to the CHE newsletter.
Posted May 29, 2026.
