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Annual Rimbey FCSS Community Block Party heads indoors

The fourth annual event faced a venue change as rainy weather was set to make an appearance July 18
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Emma and Tess de Ruiter cuddle with ducklings at Rimbey FCSS’ 4th annual Community Block Party on July 18. The event was held inside the Vern Poffenroth Arena. Photo by Kaylyn Whibbs/Rimbey Review

Rimbey celebrated it’s fourth annual Community Block Party on a damp Thursday afternoon.

The event, hosted by Rimbey Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), was moved to the Vern Poffenroth Arena in the result of weather.

Aaron Mones, volunteer coordinator for Rimbey FCSS, says the staff at FCSS went above and beyond to get the word out about the venue change.

Their efforts paid off as the turn out at the arena on July 18 was strong with kids enjoying the activities and many hot dogs on the grill.

Rimbey FCSS has been hosting the annual Community Block Party for four years now, with this being Mones’ first.

“The idea is to create a situation where everybody in the community can show up,” said Mones of the event. “It’s not driven towards one group or one demographic.”

The block party also serves as a volunteer fair for non-profits around town.

Non-profits interested were able to participate by having a booth to pitch their organization to perspective volunteers.

The event featured a games section for the kids with interactive games such as bowling and Tic Tac Toe, as well as the opportunity to cuddle ducklings and dance along to the DJ.

FCSS also used the opportunity to show off their new project, the Rim-Shaw.

Through an organization called Cycling Without Age the trishaw will provide rides for seniors in town who may not be able to ride a bike anymore.

Mones explained the program will feature pick up and drop off points throughout town.

“We’re still working on training and everything right now… but once we get all our drivers trained up, pilots they’re called, then we’ll set up a schedule at FCSS where seniors can call in and book a ride,” explained Mones.

Ideally, the program will have enough volunteers trained to accommodate everybody once it hits the streets later this summer.

Next up for Rimbey FCSS is the annual Charity Golf Tournament at Spruce Haven Golf Resort in August.

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Paper airplane engineers line up to see whose plane can fly the furthest at the Community Block Party. Contestants took turns throwing their planes vying for the doughnut prize. Photo by Kaylyn Whibbs/Rimbey Review
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Kids took to the floor to dance to music provided by On the Mark Productions at the Community Block Party. Alongside the dancing the event featured games and a free barbecue. Photo by Kaylyn Whibbs/Rimbey Review