Valleywood Block Party happening this weekend

Event will be larger than ever: organizers

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Valleywood residents are preparing for their annual block party. 

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 24, the third-annual Valleywood Block Party will take place at Lina Marino Park in Valleywood.

This year, the event will be a fundraiser for local non-profit Bethell Hospice. 

Sonia D'Alimonte, the organizer of the block party,said she and the other volunteers helping plan the event are very excited and proud to be supporting Bethell Hospice. One of the unique ways money will be raised is through a dunk tank. Party attendees can make a donation to Bethell Hospice to get a chance at dunking some special guests.

“I have managed to convince councillors Christina Early, Dave Sheen, Mario Russo and Mayor Annette Groves to get in the dunk tank,” said D'Alimonte. “It should be fun.”

Bethell Hospice Executive Director Margaret Paan will also be placing herself in the splash zone for the fundraiser. 

The Valleywood Block Party will feature food trucks and vendors, an artisan maker market, and community partner stations. There will be a kids zone with bouncy castles and soccer games, a magic show, and visits from superheroes. There will be dance performances and a live DJ too. 

“New this year, we are going to finish the event with a big foam party on the soccer field at three o'clock,” said D'Alimonte. “We'll have a big foam cannon and the kids can run around and jump through the foam and dance.”

Kids attending the party will also have the chance to meet their local firefighters and check out their fire trucks, meet the Caledon OPP auxiliary, and even check out an ambulance from Peel Regional Paramedic Services.

D'Alimonte said it's amazing how much the Valleywood Block Party event has grown since its inception.

“It's growing every year, so we're putting a plan in place for next year so we can make it even bigger,” said D'Alimonte. “It's incredibly exciting because Valleywood is such a tight-knit community… being able to do something like this on a grand scale is amazing… seeing everyone come out with smiles on their faces and celebrating the community is truly rewarding.”

Support from volunteers and sponsors for the event has been amazing, D'Alimonte added.