Save the date for September 21st and head to Emerson Avenue!
Summer’s not officially over in Westchester until the WAM Block Party rolls into town on September 21 from noon to 8 p.m.! Now in its ninth year, the day-long celebration on Emerson Avenue has become a highly anticipated community event, where art, music and community combine for a good cause.
Guests this year can expect the same family-friendly atmosphere and festivities that the event is known for, as well as a few marked improvements, including a bigger outdoor bar area and new vending hours. With community booths shutting down at 6 p.m., but the party continuing in the beer & wine garden until 8, organizers hope that the volunteers and vendors who usually miss out on the entertainment will get a chance to enjoy a frosty brew and the headlining band.
“I’m so excited for our music lineup this year, and I think our closing band, Dr. Wu, is going to hit it out of the park,” said new event producer Courtney O’Donoghue, who has taken over the reins from event founder John Sharpe. “I love watching all the bikes and the strollers roll into the event, and community members having the chance to meet with their neighbors and catch up. WAM really is the perfect way for our town to say ‘goodbye to summer’ and kick off the fall season.”
Whether you plan on meeting up with friends and staying all day in the beer garden, dropping by for an hour to check out the musical entertainment, or spending your afternoon walking up and down Emerson Ave. with your family to shop, dine and take part in activities, here’s the scoop for this year’s WAM:
1. Organizers say this year’s entertainment lineup is one of the best yet. The tunes kick off at noon with MI-6, an indie rock group featuring local students, with a new band hitting the stage each hour. In between musical acts, community groups like The Lariats, Kentwood Players and Loyola Village’s African Drum Dance Ensemble will perform. This year’s stellar lineup includes something for everyone, from jazz guitar (Transatlantic Trio), alternative (Trapdoor Social), pop (ionie) and R&B (Francois Dean Band). The night winds down with a two-hour set starting at 5:50 p.m. from Steely Dan tribute band, Dr. Wu, which is sure to get the crowd yelling “Do it Again!” Visit the full schedule of performances at wamblockparty.org.
2. Visit the community booths for fun and goodies. Sponsors are planning lots of interactive activities and giveaways at their tables to keep families entertained for hours. To name a few booths worth checking out, visit the LAX Coastal Education Foundation booth for bracelet making; the Westchester Rotary Club will be passing out stickers and candy; Team Tami will have face painters; LMU will be passing out swag from athletics and KXLU, and the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary will be offering temporary tattoos and passing out pencil pouches.
3. The beer & wine garden is bigger and better (and there’s pizza!). Organizers have enlarged the outdoor bar area for 2024 to increase occupancy, provide more room for games and keep the lines down. The garden is presented by the Stephanie Younger Group with bartenders serving up a variety of wines from Madora Vineyards, Highland Wines and Sweetzer Cellars, including organic offerings. Can’t decide what to order? A sommelier will be on hand to share their knowledge and provide recommendations about what pairs best with the festival’s food truck offerings. If beer is more your jam, this year’s drink menu includes bottled and canned options from 805, Firestone and Three Weavers, including their Goldie Lite Lager and Citra Puffs Pale Ale. Windsor Pizza will also be stationed near the bar where they’ll be serving up cheesy slices all day long.
4. Head to the Emerson Ave. Garden for family-friendly activities. Westchester Parents Nursery School will be stationed in the Emerson Ave. Community Garden ready for WAM’s littlest attendees to participate in arts and crafts galore from noon to 4 p.m. There will also be a music station where kids can practice their ukulele and percussion skills, bubble mania and more! Once you’re done crafting with the family, take a tour of the garden and admire the work that volunteers put into cultivating the one-acre space.
5. Bring your ID and credit cards for food and drinks. Don’t forget to bring your ID and credit cards to visit the cashless beer & wine garden. Head to the ticket booth and show your ID to a WAM volunteer to get a wristband for access to the area and purchase drink tickets for $9 each. When you’re in the mood for a meal, head down Emerson Ave. to view this year’s food truck lineup, including returning favorites Cousin’s Maine Lobster, Baby’s Badass Burgers and the Tropic Truck, as well as newcomers The Ugly Bao, LA LA Lasagna and Flavas by Ed, serving up soft serve.
6. Support local businesses and pick up some gifts for yourself and your loved ones. More than 50 local vendors will be selling art, crafts, ceramics, jewelry, products and desserts during WAM! Take time to shop and support these local entrepreneurs, including neighborhood favorites like Lily Love Boutique, Sugar Kane Bakeshop, Steve O’Loughlin Art, Piña Prints and the Westchester Mental Health Guild with their handmade crafts. Other festive booths include Design Street Studios Balloons, which will be creating a fall-themed balloon photo backdrop for Instagram-worthy pics.
7. WAM is a fundraiser. While WAM’s main purpose is to bring the community together for a day of music and neighborhood spirit, equally as important is its role as a fundraiser for a local nonprofit! For the last three years, WAM has partnered with the Westchester Family YMCA to support their Teen Health & Wellness Initiatives, and so far, the event has been able to donate more than $60,000 to support events, activities and programs for area youth, as well as help renovate the Y’s teen space. All of the proceeds from the beer & wine garden and the net profit from the event will be presented to the Y in the form of a big check later this year!
8. Have questions while at the event? Ask a volunteer wearing a turquoise WAM shirt, and they’ll be able to point you in the right direction!
The WAM Block Party will take place on Saturday, September 21 from noon to 8 p.m. on Emerson Ave. between 80th Pl. and 80th St. in Westchester. The street will be closed during the event. For more info, please visit wamblockparty.org.
Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner. Check photo courtesy WAM.
