QUINCY – Music thumped and children played games while the Quincy High School class of 1975 celebrated their 50th reunion Friday night at the B Street Block Party in Quincy. The event filled the block on B Street SE between Road Q NW and First Avenue SE on Friday from 5:30 to 10 p.m. 

“We’re getting, I want to say, over 500 people, and it could get to be more. I mean, these are people that are coming out of work, they don’t want to cook dinner tonight, you know. Something’s happening in town, why not go?” said organizer Catalina Blancas, who was manning the entrance on the First Street SE end of the event.  

The event has been consistently fun, though it’s not as large as it was in the original year, with about 1,000 people in attendance. Blancas' estimate of 500 was likely low as well as it was only around 7 p.m. and more people were arriving at the event. Food vendors, games for children and adults alike, live music and open businesses along the street were all open to accommodate them. The food was something Blancas and fellow organizer Marie Rylaarsdam were glad came together well, along with more activities for children.  

“It’s the vendors,” Rylaarsdam said. “The food and drink vendors are really the big part of this.”  

A variety of local and regional vendors were on hand for the event, including breweries, dessert options, fajitas and breweries. Ten Pin Brewing from Moses Lake was present and Blancas said she appreciated that they make the trip out to B Street every year since the event began.  

Keeping it family-friendly and a fun evening that reflects the community is important, Blancas said.  

“I was just asked ... if you could have any other booth here, what would you have?” Blancas said. “And I said, ‘More kids’ activities.’”  

Giant Jenga, large tic-tac-toe blocks, rocking horses, teeter-totters and more were on hand for the younger attendees to enjoy. Even a few of the bigger “kids” were seen having a go at the games. 

Musically, Blancas said one of the bands, The Canyoneros from Ellensburg, was on hand to play a selection of country and had committed to playing some songs in Spanish to honor the Hispanic population in Quincy. She said the city’s Hispanic members contribute so much to the community that organizers felt it was important to ensure Spanish entertainment was included. The band features Shannon Fulgham on rhythm guitar, Marc Brown on Bass, Chris Davidson on lead guitar and Homero Tamez on drums.  

Blancas said she was excited for Farmer Consumer Awareness Day on Saturday and hoped the B Street Block Party would help get people excited and animated for one of the biggest days of the year for Quincy as a community.  

“We’ve got two days of just celebrating Quincy, our farmers and what Quincy has to offer,” Blancas said. “So, I’m really happy with that, and I really think that that’s what it does. It builds the momentum to FCAD to say, ‘This is just a start.’” 

Rylaarsdam and Blancas said they hope to set up an even bigger event next year and they encourage people to get involved to support downtown businesses and provide a fun community event.  

Joining the fun is easy, Blancas said. 

“Just contact the Quincy Valley Chamber. Just reach out to us, whether you want to sponsor the event, it’s your first time coming over here, and you really think that this is something that you want to invest in – hit us up. Talk to us. Let us know what you can do,” she said.  

    Community members were able to enjoy a variety of games at the B Street Block Party, including chess, tic-tac-toe and other large playground-sized games. Organizers said keeping it family-friendly and a celebration of the Quincy community was important.
  

    The Canyoneros, a band out of Ellensburg, takes the stage at the B Street Block Party Friday evening. Included in their set was a handful of Spanish songs to celebrate the contributions of those with Hispanic heritage to the Quincy community.
  

    Homero Tamez of the Canyoneros keeps the music rolling on the drums during the B Street Block Party Friday evening.
  

    A pair of youngsters enjoys the portable teeter-totter at the B Street Block Party while giggling at the top of their lungs. Families, children and couples enjoyed the evening’s pleasant weather and life entertainment.
  

    Visitors enjoy the B Street Block Party Friday. Organizers estimated about 500 people had attended as of a little after 7 p.m., but they expected more revelers to show up throughout the night.