This Friday, the streets in downtown Hanover will be closed to vehicles. A large structure will be erected, a band will play, people will flood the streets with spending money and school spirit will be everywhere
No, it's not Homecoming yet. Rather, Hanover will hold its first-ever Block Party this Friday from 8 to 11 p.m. The event -- conceived by Dartmouth Programming Board and the Downtown Marketing Alliance -- aims, in the words of Jim Rubens, chair of the Marketing Alliance, to "show both Dartmouth students and the Upper Valley community that Hanover is an exciting and welcoming place."
The Marketing Alliance hopes that attendance will be strong; aside from students, members hope to attract business from Upper Valley residents.
"This is the first Hanover Block Party held during the normal school year and at night," said Sebastian Restrepo '07, chair of the Programming Board. "A similar event is held during the summer called Street Fest but it is during the day and Programming Board has never been involved, nor has there been a major band in recent years."
The block party will offer food, giveaways, a live broadcast from 99Rock and extended hours from local businesses. Moreover, there will be a performance by American Hi-Fi, a band that has been compared to acts such as Blink-182, Sugarcult and New Found Glory. The band just released its third album, "Hearts on Parade" -- recorded independently -- this past April.
The Sophia Kings, a local New Hampshire band, will open at 8 p.m. and American Hi-Fi will follow at 9:15 p.m. Both will perform on a stage across the street from Molly's Restaurant.
Coaches from the Dartmouth athletic department will also be on hand to promote Saturday's home football game against the University of Pennsylvania and to answer any questions that residents or students may have about their programs.
Local eateries -- including EBA's, Stinsons, the Hanover Food Co-Op and Blood's Catering -- will be providing food for the event.
Programming Board chose to hold this event instead of a more typical "welcome back" barbecue. "We were moving forward with this idea when we started talking to the Downtown Marketing Alliance about a new orientation event in downtown Hanover," Restrepo explained. "Through these discussions, the idea for a larger event, to be held when everyone returned to campus, was born."
"Afterwards, PB decided to move the free concert downtown, the town took over the food and logistics and we ended up creating what we hope will be a very successful event," Restrepo added.
Two tables at the party will be left open specifically for fundraising efforts designed to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. "There will be a table offering information about the College's relief effort, but this is not an event that is for Katrina relief," Restrepo clarified. In addition, the Tucker Foundation will be on hand to recruit students and residents for community service.
Many upperclassmen expect that the block party will be similar to the Street Fest that is held every summer.
However, there are freshmen who have yet to spend a summer on campus and consequently have never experienced Street Fest. It is these students that the Marketing Alliance hopes to familiarize with downtown Hanover.
Booths for student organizations will also be present; Programming Board will advertise the Vanessa Carlton concert that is currently set for Tuesday, Oct. 4.
There is anticipation for the party already. "I'm glad that stores like Bella and Juliana will be open later than 5 p.m.!" said Angela Fang '07, referring to the extended hours of most downtown stores.
Main Street will be closed to vehicles starting at 3 p.m. so that organizers may set up the event. Parking will be made available along the Green and in College lots. The block party will take place regardless of weather and is sponsored by the Programming Board, the Downtown Marketing Alliance, Juliana's Boutique, The Point and 99Rock.
