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“As a child, I invited everyone to my birthday party,” says Benjamin Wilkinson, Organizer and Co-Producer of Springfield’s The Block Party, “this event is just a bigger version of that. A party FOR and BY Springfield.” Launched in 2019 as a humble one-block gathering, The Block Party has blossomed into a 10 city block street festival, shutting down Main Street on a Friday night every September. Wilkinson’s company hosts businesses, community service organizations, artisan vendors, local breweries and food trucks in the middle of Oregon Highway 126 Business, which passes through the historic Downtown.
The city’s excitement for a shared community gathering grew quickly, as did the costs of producing the event. Wilkinson mentions the operational needs as we chat, such as traffic engineering, permits, security, alcohol handlers and of course, porta potties. In the past four years, attendance has skyrocketed from 3,000 to 10,000, leaving organizers stretching financial support to meet the party’s basic needs and keeping party-goers safe.
“We’ve received a lot of enthusiasm,” says Wilkinson, “but the event has been primarily built with $200 donations from small business owners.” The City of Springfield provides essential in-kind Strategic Support for safe and open streets, facilitating the Traffic Control Plan that shuts down the right-of-way, without which the event couldn’t happen. Committed to keeping the event free, Springfield businesses help shoulder the expense of bounce houses, street performers, large games and music stages, while Wilkinson and the party’s Co-Producer and Artistic Director, Trudy Bauchery contribute 600 hours toward each event. In 2025, Wilkinson expects that the party will cost $80,000 to produce.”
After years of searching, The Block Party secured its 1st Title Sponsor: SELCO Community Credit Union for 2025 to 2027. “In The Block Party, we see more than an event — we see a catalyst that strengthens the bonds of this community,” says Olivia Sorensen, Community Development Supervisor for SELCO. The momentum for the 6th annual gathering is infectious. SELCO’s investment will help keep party sponsorships affordable for the small businesses, like Plank Town Brewing and the Washburne Cafe, who helped drive a revitalized Downtown over the last decade.
Which is exactly why Wilkinson wants to bring more Springfield businesses to The Block Party. “When everyone comes together to celebrate Springfield, the whole community wins!” This year, The Block Party has Super Premium Sponsor support from Ziply Fiber, Jerry’s Home Improvement Center, Emerald Bath Works and the Springfield Drifters. This event represents a cross-section of local economic development: restaurants cite the party as responsible for sales records, outreach organizations connect with the community and bigger companies have a platform for messaging and philanthropy. Bauchery chimes in, “The Block Party is a little bit of year-round Springfield, showing up for one incredible night.”
Wilkinson notes that, “The Block Party needs 5-10 more Springfield grown businesses to jump in at Premium and Super Premium levels.” Specifically, this year, the party needs a Transportation and a Security Sponsor. He notes that most people are surprised to learn the party does not have the kind of funding you see for other similarly designed events produced by Willamalane, Lane Arts Council or Springfield Utility Board.
Wilkinson says he often gets asked, “What is the Springfield Block Party?” In short, “it’s a party,” he says, “but we do it for the children and families that call Springfield home.” He references a story about a small child and her parents, while getting emotional, “That kid won’t remember who produced the party. But she will remember her city, Springfield, and how incredible it was to grow up here with block parties and bouncy castles.”
Springfield’s The Block Party 2025 powered by SELCO is “One Magical Night, Many Years in the Making” on September 5th, Downtown, starting at 4p.
