It’s been 13 years since the first Senses Block Party took over Santa Clarita in June 2011, and Thursday marked the city’s 100th celebration.
Past Senses Block Party themes were mixed together, including tiki drinks, casino games, and Irish dancers. Attendees also had the opportunity to purchase drinks at food trucks and a street tiki bar at the event.
Kyle Lopez, events director for the city of Santa Clarita, said her team wants to try to honor all of the most popular themes.
“It was really important to us to highlight the last 13 years of all our different (Senses Block Parties) and (this celebration) is a compilation of some of the best components we’ve had over the years,” Lopez said.
Lopez said that over the years the city has adjusted the Senses Block Party’s event dates. She said the first two years the event ran year-round, but they noticed that attendance was low during the colder months. The event has since been adjusted to March through October.
Lopez also said the increasing voter turnout over the years has been a surprise to the team.
“We were really shocked at the community response at first,” Lopez said. “The first couple of years were really, really big. We definitely have strong participation, and there have been a few months where it’s been a little quieter at times because of back-to-school and all that stuff. But we’ve seen really good participation at all of our events, and of course we try to choose themes that we know the community will enjoy.”
Local residents like Marlena Van Heerden and her son came to get to know each other better through the games offered at the event, which included air hockey, basketball and “Dance, Dance, Revolution.”
“It’s so much fun,” Van Heerden said. “We’ve been here for the second time since last month and we thought, ‘We have to come before it’s over.'”
The next Senses Block Party has a pirate theme and will take place on September 19th at 7 p.m.
For more information, visit the Old Town Newhall website at oldtownnewhall.com/senses-block-party.
