Another successful Block Party is in the books and the event continues to grow bigger and better from its humble roots in 2007. While the first Block Party drew a few hundred people (shown above), this year’s party – the first held since the pandemic – drew thousands.
“Block Party started as a grand opening celebration for retail at Mission Bay,” said Associate Director of Conference, Event and Retail, Jen Dowd. “We held it at the current location, along Gene Friend Way between Third and Fourth Streets, during lunchtime. It was different from other events on campus. It created a fun environment where the UCSF community could enjoy the sun and socialize.”
That first Block Party featured entertainment from Wild 94.9 DJ Majestichris, who was spinning old-school, hip-hop, and R&B favorites. There was also an evening happy hour concert featuring local cover band, Gravy Boat.
At the time, Dowd was responsible for bringing retail tenants to the new campus, which only had a few buildings. Original retail tenants included Terzetto Express and Subway and they were quickly followed by Peasant Pies
A booth at the first Block Party.
Retail Vendor Specialist Robert Kirkbride and Retail Services Manager Tamara Villarina were instrumental in organizing the first Block Party with Dowd. “It was a simply divine community-building event at Mission Bay at a time when it was very much needed,” Kirkbride said. “The Mission Bay population felt isolated from the rest of the UCSF community. There were fewer buildings, and it was a much different campus.”
Villarina described the initial Block Party as a smallish celebration. “I think we tracked about 300 people for the lunchtime event and about 50 for the evening event. We invited all the CLS units to table and we had face painting.”
From that initial event, Block Party quickly grew. In 2014, to celebrate UCSF’s 150th anniversary celebration, University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR) and Campus Life Services joined forces to highlight UCSF’s rich history. The event drew 4,000 people from UCSF and the surrounding Dogpatch and Potrero Hill neighborhoods. During most of the afternoon, a long line formed as members of the UCSF community waited to receive 150th mementos.
After the 2016 Block Party, the event went on hiatus due to construction of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences and the Chase Center. It stayed on hiatus during Covid.
Today, Gene Friend Way Plaza at Mission Bay is transformed into a county fair atmosphere for Block Party and the event draws thousands. "We are thrilled to have brought it back to such a warm and well received reception," Dowd said.
“People love to come out and spend their lunch in the sun,” Villarina said. “We always have beautiful sunny skies and it’s a great opportunity to listen to music, visit with co-workers, and learn about different programs on campus.”
While the celebration was on hiatus during the pandemic, Kirkbride said people asked when Block Party would return. “They’ve missed it,” he said. “I’m glad it’s back.”
