Annual block party held at West Riverside
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Many of the neighborhood children who showed up seemed to gravitate to the huge water slide set up on the hill nearby, and with good reason.
With the mercury hovering in the mid-nineties, it was a good day to get wet and cool off.
The event was sponsored by the West Riverside Resident Association with the help of Judge Larry Ross and Barry Dishman of Kids of the Community.
Jackie Blankenship, Resident Association president, said the money raised from the event will go to provide activities for the children in the area.
The Activity Center provides after school tutoring, a reading program and other activities and field trips.
“It helps keep them out of trouble and off drugs,” said Blankenship.
The Block Party was a typical summer bash with games, a water slide, music and food booths with burgers, soft drinks, hot dogs and even cotton candy, which the kids gobbled up by the fistful.
Local officials, including Sheriff elect Jacky Matheney and D.A.R.E. Coordinator John Chisam, braved the heat to show their support for the event, helping with games and even participating in a spirited squirt-gun battle or two.
Blankenship said the Resident Association wanted to give special recognition to Activity Center Coordinator Donald Roberts who is battling an illness, but still managed to make an appearance and helped set up the water slide.
“He is a wonderful man,” said Blankenship, “he has done so much good for the kids.”
Blankenship also wanted to recognize Jim Layman, the West Riverside Crime Watch Coordinator, who passed away the night of the Block Party.
For more information on activities at the West Riverside Activity Center, contact them at (931) 473-5848.