Duddington Place | Capitol Hill, Washington DC

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Quick links on this page: News & Updates | Schedule of Events | Donations | Guests | T-Shirt Info | Downloads and Documents

News & Updates:

6/20/05 - More Pictures
Local photog Drew McDermott has uploaded his rendition of the block party photos (black and white). Neat stuff. Check it out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcdermott/sets/471650/
6/12/05 - The Aftermath
Thank you to everyone who helped-there were many! From the planning committee that get things going to the friends of friends who helped when they were here-the party wouldn't have gone so well without all your help, so thank you all!! It's worth noting that donations were especially generous this year, and that we raised over $4000--a new record! That means that we're going into next year's party with a surplus, So great job on funding this shindig! Special thanks to Congressional and Chat's Liqour stores for their generous donations to our party. Don't forget to stop in and thank these guys!
The online photo album is set up to let you order any pictures that you want and have them printed and shipped to you (there is a link on the left side of the screen that says 'order prints online' -- Just click that to order.). Prints are very reasonable, so get all you want. Click here to view the photo album. There is an absolutely adorable shot of a little boy holding the fire hose. I'd like to have this blown up and framed for the fire company that came. So if this is your kid, please let me know if this is okay with you. I presume I will be getting more pictures in as people get their photos downloaded and sent to me (speaking of which, if you have photos, please download and send to me! ;-) Each time I get a new batch, I'll send a message.

Just to tie up a few loose ends, if you're missing anything from the party (bowls, utensils, coolers, etc.) I probably have it. Stop by and pick it up. I also still have a few shirts that have not been picked up.

Finally, if you have an opinion about the party, we'd love to hear it so we can improve in future years. We did some things differently this year (added the pig roast, supplied the meat, had a lot more provided drinks, etc.) So let us know what you did and didn't like and how you think we can do better next year. Email info@duddingtonplace.com, or post on the forum.

I think that's about it. Thanks again to everyone for making BlockParty 2005 a hit!

-brent
6/11/05 @ 6:16an - Rise and shine!
Lots to do today! While you're all having coffee and reading your papers, my team will be going to town on Mr. Pig. So you've got about two hours to get your caffeine fix, then we expect to see you on the street to help get set up! PS: We still need coolers!
6/10/05 @ 2:31pm - My friend, Jose
Mr. Cuervo just stopped by and left his trademark beverage with us. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be wasting away and Margaritaville, so don't expect an update for a bit. And where did I put those lost shakers of salt??
6/10/05 @ 1:38pm - PigTracker 2000™ Update
Our Pig-dar has picked up the swine around Gaithersburg, MD. We're expecting final arrive soon, provided no one scrambles any jets and intercepts our pig!
6/10/05 @ 12:41pm - Still need coolers!
We're still in need of coolers for the ice and drinks tomorrow. If you can lend a cooler (preferably full size), please drop it off 135 Duddington and/or bring it out Saturday morning.
6/10/05 - T-Shirts are in.
The T-shirts have arrived. They look great. Stop by 135 anytime today to pick yours up! Otherwise, we will distribute them at the block party. NOTE: If you didn't get one, we have 11 extra. Contact me ASAP if you want one reserved for you. They're all white, but we do have different sizes.
5/15/05 - It's not too late!
If you didn't get your T-shirt order and/or donation in last Friday, it's not too late. Please drop off 135 Duddington ASAP. We still need to raise almost $1500!
5/13/05 - Donations and T-shirt orders are due!
We need to spend money now to order things like the DJ, food, beverages, the pony, etc. We'll of course take donations any time up until the party, but cost are being incurred sooner rather than later, so please get your donations in today! Thanks!
5/9/05 - T-shirt Order Forms
T-Shirt Design is finalized. Click here to view the final design. Order forms can be downloaded here. ORDERS ARE DUE BY FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2005
5/4/05 - Sound off on T-Shirts!
T -Shirt designs are posted for voting. Scroll down to the bottom of this page! (Or click here if you're too lazy to scroll, and we'll just take you there so you don't over-exert your mouse finger :-)
4/18/05 - Poor Party
Fundraising is going very slowly. We need money sooner rather than later because the costs are occurring now--not the day of the block party. So please donate now! Use the button below to pay with your credit card, or drop a cash/check into 119 Duddington. ASAP! Thanks!
4/13/05 - Tshirt Ideas
We need your input on T-Shirts. Click here to vote for ideas!
3/31/05 - Official Invitation Released
The official invitation is out! Click here to download and print.
3/28/05 - Planning Committee Formed
Minutes of the Planning Committee are Released. Click here to view.

Schedule of Events (UPDATED):

7:00am: Start Pig Roast
For those early risers wanting to see how you go about cooking 150 pounds of swine, c'mon out and laugh at whatever kind of contraption we come up with for cooking the hog. This is an all day event to be held in the middle of the street. The pig will be served in traditional 'pig pickin' fashion at dinner time (i.e., we'll drench it in the secret sauce and you can tear tender meat right off the bone (or for the more civilized, we'll serve it to you if you prefer.)
8:30-10am: Clean Street and Decorate
All the cars must be cleared from the street by 7am (we suggest doing it the night before). We'll send out plenty of notices well in advance. Especially if you won't be here for the party, make sure you move your car so we don't have to tow it! Everyone is asked to do what they can to tidy their area in front of their house. We'll ask the fire company to hose down the street and get it as clean as possible. Also, the decorating crew will string banners and flags, put up past year T-Shirts, and this year we'll have tiki torches lining the street to help add to the party atmosphere. There will also be a volley ball net (and possibly a basketball hoop or badminton net) set up for any pick-up games during the day. We'll have more organized games later on in the afternoon as well. If you're not busy, please come out and give the crew a hand setting everything up.
10-12pm: Pony Rides for the kids
Ponies will carry the kids up and down the street. Bring your cameras and carrots!
12pm: Fire Trucks come
The fire and police department are part of the party tradition. They bring their trucks down, hose down the street, and if we're lucky, they'll open up the hydrant so we can play in the water. We always invite them back for dinner to say thanks.
For anyone interested in a mid-day snack, drop by the pig cooker for some hot dogs!
2:00pm: Festivities Start
Come to the center of the block to mingle with your neighbors. There will be plenty of beer and soft drinks available, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer. If you prefer to lounge on chairs, we ask that you bring them to the center area and congregate there instead of in front of your house. Plan to play games and socialize for a few hours before dinner.
3:00pm: Games for Kids
We plan to have pool fun, chalk, bubbles, visor making, bean bag toss, ride on toy decorating, a parade and more!
4:00pm: Margarita Madness!
Our resident bartenders will be serving up a variety of homemade margaritas! If you have a blender you could loan us for the day, please let us know!
4:30pm: Say Cheese. Group Picture!
Everyone gather around for a group picture. Note that we will make the pictures available online. You'll be able to order any size prints you want. This way we don't need to pose for 40 minutes while someone snaps through 50 individual cameras. (Note, you're encouraged to keep your camera handy all day and snap away at anything that looks interesting. For those with digital cameras, please make sure you get the files to Brent in 135 so he can post them to the website for everyone to browse and/or order prints.)
5:00pm: Wine Tasting
We'll have a fine selection of Chilean Wines on hand for sampling and drinking.
6:00pm: Dinner Time
As mentioned, we'll be serving the pig for dinner. We'll also be providing hot dogs and hamburgers for everyone. Everyone is asked to bring some sort of side dish. We'll have tables set up in the middle of the street to put your stuff on. Please label your dishes with your name so we know where to return things to if you're not there when we close down. Also, if you are inviting non-residents (which you're highly encouraged to do), please ask them to also contribute something to the dinner so that there is plenty for all.
7-11pm: Music and Dancing
We'll have our favorite DJ back to start us off with some fun music for the kids and then mix it up a bit for everyone else.


	Fundraising

		--$3500 --$3000 --$2500 --$2000 --$1500 --$1000 --$500 --$0

	Raised so far: $4189 as of 2:28pm on 6/21

Donations:

We ask each household to make a minimum contribution of $30. - or $5-10 per person more if you're bringing guests. (Last year we had a 60% participation rate on Duddington with an average donation of ~$45. This year we're asking surrounding blocks to help, too.) Drop this form with your donation in an envelope at 135 Duddington Place (checks payable to Duddington Place Block Association). Or, use your credit card or PayPal to pay right now.

Guests: We'd love to have you--they more the merrier! But if each resident brings all their extended group of friends, coworkers, etc. and we don't account for it financially, this party won't work. So we're asking guests to contribute a minimum of $10 per person if you'd like to attend our Block Party. Do your host a favor so he/she have to cough up a lot of money to cover everyone he/she wants to invite. Just look at all the stuff above that $10 buys you. It's a steal. Don't forget to bring a disk to contribute to the pot luck dinner as well!