Henry Street Settlement’s 2014 Block Party
By Chelsea Jupin
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Henry Street Settlement kicked off Lower East Side History Month on Saturday, May 2, with “Party Like It’s 1899,” a free block party with cake, crafts, and dancing in the street to celebrate the 147th birthday of founder Lillian Wald. Nearly 400 people flocked to Henry Street to enjoy the beautiful warm May day and to partake in the activities.
Noted attendees included the firemen of FDNY’s Ladder 18, Community Board 3’s Susan Stetzer and Gigi Li, and New York City Council Member Margaret Chin, who praised Henry Street’s staff and volunteers, noting, “they work hard, but they know when to have fun!”
Also joining in on the fun were Guerilla Haiku Movement’s Agents of Haiku, who led party-goers in composing haikus inspired by the event and Henry Street Settlement’s history – and chalking them on Henry Street.
A Birthday Cake Contest was held to commemorate the birthday of Lillian Wald. Amateur bakers were encouraged to think creatively and deliciously in bringing their best birthday cake to the contest. Judges Tara Bench (former Food and Entertaining Editor of the Ladies Home Journal); Serena Solomon (DNinfo); Jake Dell (Katz’s Deli); and Ed Litvak and Traven Rice (The LoDown) evaluated the cakes on appearance, creativity, taste and interpretation of the “birthday” theme. First prize went to Jael Wagener for her Lillian’s House Dress cake; Larry Williams won second place for his red velvet cake; and Caroline Lim took third with her three-layer Angel of Henry Street creation.
In between the poetry and cake, attendees had their choice of helium balloons, face-painting, temporary tattoo stations, dancing, Zumba, tours of Henry Street’s historic headquarters, and arts and crafts.
David Garza, Executive Director of Henry Street, served as emcee, announcing raffle prize winners throughout the day. Representatives from Henry Street’s programs manned tables to distribute information, and Judy Goris, R.N., of the agency’s Health Unlimited Medical Center, provided blood pressure screenings.
The event ended with one last dance, as DJ Mambo played the “Conga.” A conga line wove through the crowd on Henry Street, with Council Member Chin leading the way!
