It’s the time of year for the sight and smell of grilled
burgers, tri-tip and hot dogs while neighbors get together at
several annual block parties throughout Hollister.
It’s the time of year for the sight and smell of grilled burgers, tri-tip and hot dogs while neighbors get together at several annual block parties throughout Hollister.
The city wants to remind anyone planning to close a street for a block party this year that applications should be submitted to the city clerk’s office 30 days prior to the event – especially functions scheduled for July 4, the most popular time for block parties.
“A lot of people have them on that weekend. July is more popular than any other month,” City Clerk Geri Johnson said.
Johnson said there has been a rise in the number of requests for permits in recent years, coinciding with Hollister’s population increase. The city will not reject applications because of an abundance of them, she said, if the paperwork is submitted in a timely manner.
However, Johnson said the city does reserve the right to turn down requests to block off main streets in the city because of traffic-related safety issues.
“We have to keep the main arteries open,” she said.
Safety problems are not usually a problem with block parties in Hollister, Johnson said. But one issue arises each year – the sale and use of illegal fireworks. Only certain types of fireworks – deemed “safe and sane” – can be sold and used within city and county limits.
For instance, “huge bottle rockets” are disallowed, Johnson said.
“We just don’t want to have any houses burn down,” she said.
For questions about approved fireworks, call the Hollister Fire Department at 636-4325 or go to www.osfm.fire.ca.gov.
For more information on block party applications, call the city clerk’s office at 636-4304. The office is located at City Hall, 375 Fifth St.
