Balloon animals, jugglers, a bounce house and more will round out the first ever Westgate and Eastgate summer block party July 29.
The event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on the Tang Lawn in front of W84.
Westgate and Eastgate, both of which provide family housing, are sponsoring the block party. Social chair Anna Walther said the event was designed for everyone to "have a good time, celebrate summer and to get to know our neighbors."
Walther said organizers were inspired by the block party MIT threw for President Susan Hockfield's inauguration in spring 2005. Thousands of people attended that event in the Johnson Athletic Center; this one will be a bit smaller. "We are planning for around 200 people," she said.
"This event will be a great chance to build community and neighborliness by providing a place for MIT families to interact with the single student dorms as well as the off-campus population of MIT," Walther said.
There will be a variety of food stations, games and entertainment -- including clowns, tug-of-war, magic tricks, juggling from Peter Panic and more.
Guests are advised to bring blankets to sit on. In case of rain, the event will be held in the Lobdell Dining Hall in the Student Center.