Night to Unite

Interested in Hosting a Night to Unite Party?

Night to Unite is a great opportunity to meet City staff, leadership and Councilmembers, as they will be visiting as many parties as possible during the event. 

How to Plan a Night to Unite Party

Step 1: Decide to Get Involved

A Night to Unite party is a great opportunity to bring neighbors together. Neighbors who know each other and agree to watch out for suspicious behavior are a great defense against crime.

• A Night to Unite party can be as simple as turning your outside lights on, locking your door and inviting neighbors over. In some neighborhoods, these parties have evolved into block parties, cookouts and potlucks with food, music, games and prizes. 

Step 2: Register Your Party

To register your neighborhood Night to Unite event with the City of IGH, click here to complete a brief survey. You can request that the IGH Police Department, Fire Department and Parks and Recreation Department visit your event. 

Step 3: Party Planning

Plan a party that fits your neighborhood, block, street or housing complex, etc. No two neighborhoods are the same and your party can reflect that. Participate in any kind of event that suits you and your neighbors.

Have a meeting about party planning. Even the simplest party requires some planning. Plus, a planning meeting is a great way to get others involved. Some questions to ask:

• How will you involve the kids in your neighborhood? Young people bring great energy and enthusiasm to Night to Unite parties. This is an opportunity to get all ages involved with Night to Unite planning. Involving children and teens can also have a great long-term benefit for your neighborhood. 
• Where will you hold your event? Driveway/garage, lawn or park, vacant lot, parking lot, housing complex gathering area.
• What do I need? Use this helpful Party Planning Checklist to make your planning easy!

Figure out the details. 

• Will the party have food and refreshments? 
• What kind and who will provide it (cookout or potluck)?
• Will the party have entertainment?
• Is there an interest in featuring individual or group activities?
• Can responsibilities be divided among neighbors?

Step 4: Make Sure You Have Materials

Find printable materials below to promote your party:

• Door Hangers
• Party Notices (letter-sized flyer)

You can also pick up a Night to Unite yard sign at the IGH Police Department (8150 Barbara Ave), starting on July 28. Because the yard signs are expensive to make, we kindly ask that you return borrowed signs to IGH PD after the event, so that they can be reused in future years. 

Step 5: Invite Neighbors

Now that you have the materials, make sure to use them to invite your neighbors to your party!

• Put up your yard sign.
• Make sure your door hangers and/or party notices have been filled out with the specifics about your party. Then make copies. We recommend you hand out the materials at least one week prior to the Night to Unite date. 
• You can also use word-of-mouth. Tell everyone in your area about the upcoming event.

Step 6: Give Back to the Community

Your party can also make a difference for community members in need by collecting donations to benefit local organizations. The following organizations collect supplies and distribute them throughout IGH.

Neighbors, Inc. – Operates a food shelf in South St. Paul. They provide food items to a growing number of people in northern Dakota County.

• Click here to learn about Neighbors, Inc food shelf donations
• Click to learn other ways to donate

360 Communities – Operates two shelters that provide emergency housing and assistance to individuals and families escaping domestic violence.

• Click here for 360 Communities most needed items
• Click to learn other ways to donate 

Step 7: Most Important...Have Fun!

Supply write-on name tags for those who may not know everyone at the event. Snap some pictures to share on social media and/or to create a digital Night to Unite photo book for the neighborhood. Don't forget to tag the City on Facebook: @CityOfInverGroveHeights, @IGHParks, @IGHPDMN, @IGHFDMN

Gather email addresses of neighbors at the event to keep in touch and use for invitations to future Night to Unite events.

Enjoy the party!

Note: Streets and Neighborhood Safety

The City does not recommend closing off roadways during Night to Unite events and does not provide barricades or traffic cones to block or restrict traffic on City streets. Please remember it is against state law to place items in the roadway.