What to Expect at a Street Party
The British love a ‘knees up’ (dance) and there is no better way to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond's Jubilee than by holding a traditional street party. Historically street parties were held as a special treat for children during hard times, but more recently, they have become an occasion for all ages to come together and enjoy food, drink, song and dance.
Street partiesare organized by the community for the community some of whom may never have met or spoken to each other. Traditionally, the street where the party is to be held is closed to traffic and tables and chairs are positioned in a line down the centre of the road. The tables, surrounding houses, street lighting and signs are usually decorated with red white and blue bunting, union jacks, flags and balloons.
Food for the party is prepared by the community and in today’s multicultural society dishes can include African Caribbean, Asian, European and Chinese cuisine. However no street party would be considered correct without a few traditional English dishes such as sausage rolls, pork pies, cold beef, pickles, chutney, potato salad, coronation chicken, coleslaw, green salad, sandwiches, Victoria sponge cake, fairy cakes, jelly, ice cream and trifle. Beverages include tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcohol such as beer, larger or wine. Tables tend to be decorated in red white and blue using paper or plastic plates and beakers.
Party attire tends to be informal and participants usually wear paper or cardboard hats such as crowns and tiaras, wave union jacks, blow party trumpets and have a good time. Some parties are fancy dress or themed and a popular choice for the Diamond Jubilee is a 1950's style to reflect the time when the Queen came to the throne.
Some street parties have arranged formal entertainment whereas others rely upon residents who are musically inclined. There is usually someone in the community who can play a musical instrument and once party goers have enjoyed a couple of beers there are always willing singers. Favorite songs include ‘God Save the Queen’, There Will Always Be an England’, ‘Knees Up Mother Brown’, ‘Show Me the Way to go Home’ and ‘Ferry Across the Mersey’.
Street parties can include games such as a Royal Quiz, Musical Chairs, Pass the Parcel, Shove ha’ Penny and Pitch and Toss. As the party progresses people usually dance together either as a couple or in a group and the evening ends with a Conga line along the street.
Street parties are great fun and during theDiamond Jubilee celebrations from the 2nd to the 5th June reports suggest that there will be approximately ten thousand held all over the United Kingdom.
