by Shawn Nowlin
Free food and entertainment for all ages, hundreds of participants having fun and of course great weather. That is what the 2015 Gainsboro Community Block Party (GBP) was all about. Now in its 3rd year, the annual event, once again exceeded expectations. It all went down on Saturday (May 16) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Patton Ave. located just minutes from Downtown Roanoke.
The Gainsborough Southwest Community Organization, Historic Gainsboro Preservation District and the Gainsboro Neighborhood Alliance formed the partnership making the event possible. “We were really pleased with this year’s turnout as about 400 people showed up,” said event organizer Rochelle Loritts.
Information on potential jobs (Hotel Roanoke), health screenings (New Horizons) and volunteer options (YMCA) was available. After briefly addressing those in attendance Mayor Dave Bowers showed off some of his latest dance moves as WTOY’s own Carter G worked his magic spinning discs. Aware of the impact that songs can have on people the radio personality power-packed the affair with a line up of contagious vibes. The Higher Education Learning Center donated over 100 strap bags and representatives from the Roanoke City Police Department distributed additional edible gifts.
“I’ve been coming here for years and I plan on doing so as long as they have it,” said Rakeem English, one of the many in the area knows full well what the GPB is all about. All the forces that guarantee the success of this annual community-wide event were in unison and many newcomers had the opportunity to relish in this group effort that has served to unify the Gainsboro area for several years. “I’ve lived in South Carolina for the past seven years…my kids are really enjoying themselves, this is a great event,” said one attendee.
Live farm animal interactions (goats, rabbits, chickens) as well as tours of the new Valley Metro buses were both welcomed additions to this year’s activities. Children getting their faces painted, adults line dancing and members from different neighborhoods interacting¬ on various levels–all heighten the spirit of this fun-in-the-sun event. To have this annual block party at its current location makes sense for a variety of reasons; most notably it celebrates the classic nature and history of the Gainsboro Neighborhood as well as all of the resources in the area. “We couldn’t have done this without corporate sponsorship like Coca Cola that provided all of the food and drinks,” said Loritts.
Volunteers like Chris Anderson and Ralph and Dreama Beauford are among the host of volunteers who rise to the many demands handling everything from set-up, serving food to clean up duties afterwards.
More than just a great way to spend a Saturday, the annual gathering has become a staple in the community with true staying power. Since 2012, the weather has not seriously affected this event–which is a trend that many hope will continue as organizers and concerned citizens, shoulder their ongoing pursuit to celebrate the rich heritage of Roanoke’s historic Gainsboro Neighborhood.
