Fun in Saturday Sun at 'Alberrito Streets' Block Party

The second annual "Alberrito Streets" block party appeared to be a hit Saturday with both young and old – especially the young – enjoying another warm and sunny bi-city block party sponsored by El Cerrito and Albany.

There were kids riding bikes, kids riding scooters, kids playing chess and kids playing pint-sized soccer. There also lots of kids riding in strollers and kids giving a mighty heave in the El Cerrito-vs.-Albany tug-of-war.

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The "pop-up park" turned a major street shared by both cities – called Ashbury Avenue in El Cerrito and Key Route Boulevard in Albany – into a car-free, pop-up park for three hours beginning at noon.

Among the amusements in the wide grassy median were a volleyball game and bicycle course for kids, as well as free treatments from Sarana Community Aupuncture of Albany and bicycle-made smoothies from Albany Strollers & Rollers.

The chance to climb into an El Cerrito fire truck and wear a firefighter's hat seemed quite popular, and even the omnipresent El Cerrito breeze didn't discourage participants from enjoying the middle-of-the-street ping-pong table.

A pair of geese in a small pen also attracted attention from other species, both human and canine.

Street chess options increased exponentially this year. Last year, El Cerrito resident Jenny Hammer set up one board and two chairs. It proved so popular that this year she had eight chess boards, a go board and a large "street chess" option with the oversized, homemade pieces set into stands made of small plastic barrels. (See attached photo.)

The number of rope-pull warriors in this year's contest was smaller than last year's, and the victory this time was claimed by El Cerrito, making the score 1-1.

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