YOUNGSTOWN Party becomes annual event

A group of friends decided to create a day that kids long remember.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Four years ago, the generation that grew up on Kenmore Avenue in the 1970s and '80s decided today's kids needed some summer fun in their own neighborhood.
A group of young men sold chicken dinners out of their homes, raised a few hundred dollars, spent two weeks planning and staged the first Kenmore Block Party. A couple dozen people turned out, and the kids had a good time.
The Kenmore friends had no idea what they started in the summer of 2000, however.
Organizers expect this year's block party, scheduled for Saturday, to draw about 4,000 people to the South Side neighborhood.
"It's pretty much like a reunion," said Daniel Levy, 31, a prime mover behind the event. "Kenmore, for some reason, you can come back home."
Levy, who still lives on Kenmore and has kids of his own, said there are few summer events that today's youngsters can look forward to.
Most inner-city kids can't travel to regional amusement parks or area festivals, and there are few events in the city, he said.
Kenmore sits in a South Side neighborhood where some of the city's poorest residents live.
Some statistics
There are 2,000 youths ages 18 and under who live in the neighborhood. That's 32 percent of the area's 6,300 residents, according to the 2000 Census. More than 60 percent of those youths live in poverty. Household income is under $15,000 in 55 percent of the neighborhood.
That's why Levy and a half-dozen friends decided to turn the first Saturday in August into one of those special days kids long remember.
They block off Kenmore for the day, starting at noon, from Hillman Street to Overland Avenue. The party features all kinds of things kids love: games, puppets, music, food, clowns, ponies, visits from firefighters and even carnival rides such an inflated bounce-around.
The first event was so successful that 800 people showed up for the second party in 2001.
"People wanted to see what it was about," said Foy Levy, 25, Daniel's brother.
Organizers added more for adults of all ages. A car and motorcycle show that drew 40 entries last year is a hit. A bingo game appeals to the older folks.
The atmosphere lets neighborhood people of all ages relax and enjoy a summer day together, said Donald Washington, 29.
Last year, food vendors set up shop for the 2,000 people who turned out. Former residents from as far as Columbus and Virginia were there.
Expanding event
The event now takes a year to plan and the budget has jumped to about $5,000, most of which is to be covered by sponsoring businesses.
A parade was added on Hillman Street this year, starting at 10:30 a.m. at Dewey Avenue to Kenmore. Up to 50 groups are expected to march in the parade.
The party even extends a day to Aug. 3 with a picnic at Homestead Park for those who don't get their fill Saturday.
The block party's popularity isn't hard to explain for two organizers who know the Kenmore Avenue area well.
"It's something positive in the neighborhood they grew up in," said Perry Harrison, 42, who also is a city firefighter and helps the group wade through government red tape.
The neighborhood remains tightknit despite years of tough times, said Carl Davis, 43, a city police detective sergeant who puts on puppet shows complete with impressive ventriloquism.
"We do have a lot of pride and dignity," he said. "You've still got that here."
Neighbors coming together
Councilman Artis Gillam Sr., D-1st, said the group's efforts are encouraging. It shows that neighborhoods can create positive events when residents band together, he said.
The Kenmore group is sincere, well organized and knows how create a fun day for their neighbors, Gillam said.
Each member has his own role.
Levy is in charge, handling everything from publicity to the giveaway T-shirts. Foy, being the younger brother, jokes that he gets stuck with all the errands. "A lot of running around," he said.
Washington and Shondale Phifer, 29, handle other arrangements.
Vern Gurley Jr., 37, calls himself the enforcer. He makes sure the others do their part. At 6 foot 3 inches tall and 350 pounds, they listen, Gurley said with a sly smile.
Levy expects the party to get bigger in the coming years.
Other neighborhoods have copied Kenmore and recently started their own small block parties the past couple of years, he said.
Levy's dream is to one day see a citywide block party materialize.
rgsmith@vindy.com
XBusinesses interested in being a sponsor of the Kenmore Block Party can call Daniel Levy at (330) 744-2850 or Linda Gurley at (330) 743-1170.