What’s one of the best parts of summer? Eating outdoors! Whether it’s a backyard BBQ, a picnic at the park, or s’mores by the campfire, enjoying food outside is just plain fun.

(Miss the background on what the Love Your Hood Challenge is all about? Check it out here.)
Grill together
Food brings people together. And the outdoors is good for the soul. This challenge is about combining both of them and inviting your neighbors to join you for a meal outside!
Here are a few ideas to get you going:
Go simple.
Grab some beer or wine and invite your neighbors over for a drink on the porch. (Did you know we believe in this idea so much we hook up all our real estate clients with “Meet the Neighbor” gift packs?)

Have lots of kids nearby (or adults that love a cool treat)? Grab some ice cream or another fun summer treat and head outdoors to enjoy together.
BBQ in the backyard.
You can’t go wrong with backyard (or rooftop) dining!

Picnic at the park.
Head out to a park and picnic with your neighbors! Denver has a slew of free events, like outdoor concerts and movies, if you want to add some entertainment. Here’s a list of some free events to consider:
- Movies at Infinity Park | Glendale
- Movies in the Park | Thornton
- Outdoor Movie Series | Central Park
- Lawn concerts | Clyfford Museum
- Summer Concert Series | Northglenn
- City Park Jazz | City Park
- More ideas
Have a block party.
Want to go all out? Gather your neighbors for a block party! Here are some ways to make it happen:
- Host a block party: If a neighbor hasn’t already started one, consider initiating a party for your block! Head over to Denvergov’s website to get the details on throwing one — yes, you need a permit.
- Denver Days: A program during the first week of August to encourage neighboring through block parties, picnics, and service projects.
- National Night Out: An annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie that happens on the first Tuesday in August.