BY JOE VEYERA
Block parties dotted closed stretches of road throughout Queen Anne and Magnolia last Tuesday night, as part of the annual National Night Out festivities.
At Counterbalance Park, the Uptown Arts and Culture Group and the Uptown Alliance organized a “Counterculture Night Out” with live music, large board games, a free clothing swap, and samples from various local restaurants. Also taking part was St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, which offered tours as a way to reach out to the community.
“We’ve been here for over 100 years and we could still do a better job of connecting with our neighbors,” said Adam Conley of St. Paul’s.
Meanwhile, the Church of Scientology closed a portion of West Harrison Street for their annual party, complete with live music, and barbecue served out of a vintage gas truck retrofitted with a large grill.
“This is a good way of just getting your neighbors together, making them more aware of their surroudnings, who you are, creating a safe space, a safe environment, and that just benefits everybody in the neighborhood,” said the Rev. Ann Pearce. “So we just figured, just get a barbecue out here, a band, and some balloons, and it’s a great time.”
For more information National Night Out, visit www.seattle.gov/police/nightout.