Trinity College Celebrates Community with Annual Block Party on Vernon Street

Iqra Athar ’26

News Editor

On Oct. 5, 2024, Trinity College’s Office of Student Leadership and Engagement (SLE), formerly SAIL, in collaboration with the Bantam Network, hosted the annual Community Block Party on Vernon Street. The event began at 3 p.m., drawing students, faculty and Hartford community members together for an evening of food, music, performances and various activities aimed at promoting campus clubs and supporting local businesses.

The Student Government Association engaged attendees with a Trinity Trivia quiz at their booth. The Sign Club taught attendees how to sign their names in sign language, while the Psychology Club provided personality tests. The Green Campus Club promoted the use of sustainable cups through their fun activity while also highlighting environmental concerns. 

Lily Cummings ‘25, founder and president of the American Sign Language Club and the Trinity College Psychology Club, highlighted the community spirit of the event. “The Vernon Block Party was a great chance for organizations on campus to interact not only with Trinity students and administration but also with the greater Hartford community. It’s an excellent way to reintroduce our organizations and raise awareness of what we offer here,” she remarked.

Other student organizations like F.I.S.T. (Faith Inspired Students at Trinity) distributed inspirational sayings, and the Women & Gender Resource Action Center (WGRAC) along with Alpha Chi Omega conducted activities to raise awareness about dating violence. Participants noted red flags in relationships and defined what love means to them. The Temple of Hip Hop and the Men of Color Alliance (MOCA) also tabled and promoted their clubs. The Office of Study Abroad advertised their study abroad programs including the upcoming “Trinity in Cape Town: Human Rights in Urban South Africa” which is set to begin in spring 2025. 

Local vendors displayed a range of products from graffiti art to handmade clothes and crystals. Additionally, activities like henna tattooing and face painting added to the festive atmosphere with RapOet and other local artists performing hip-hop music, drawing crowds to stop, cheer and clap. Food was also provided with Trinity’s deans and staff serving a wide variety of options, including Mexican and Asian food from local Hartford restaurants. Tables and chairs were set up, providing a comfortable setting for attendees to unwind and enjoy the live music alongside friends and family.

Zaynab Khan ‘26, who was assisting the SLE by handing out mini donut tickets, shared her positive experience. “The block party was an amazing showcase of the Trinity community and life on campus! It was nice to see the deans handing out food, allowing for casual interaction outside of the Bantam Network office. There were many tables with live bands performing and various societies explained what they do. Overall, it was a great event that allowed me to interact with many different people around campus.”