BRINGING THE BLOCK TOGETHER: STATE STREET BLCK PARTY TO RAGE FOR TWO DAYS

On September 4th, First Friday, make sure to boogie on over for the second installment of the semiannual State Street Block Party. Before you hit up the LUMA festival, and on your way to the galleries, stop as the party spills into State Street between Henry and Lewis. Bring the party back through on your way to the LUMA after-party at the Lost Dog Lounge, and then continue jiving all weekend long.

The State Street Block Party starts at five, and even though it’s described as ending at 11, we have every reason to believe the after party will continue on throughout the evening at Social on State, spilling slowly into The Shop, before expanding like the Blob to envelop the entire city in pure revelry. After sleeping for a few hours to regain our stamina, the city will again descend on Artists’ Row from noon to 6 another for a day filled with music; art, craft and food vendors; not to mention a giant scavenger hunt with a $250 dollar cash prize called ‘Binghamton Quest.’

I admit, I was probably more excited than I should be that there’s something called Binghamton Quest: quest is the best word for describing whatever it is you are doing that day (i.e. “I am going on a quest for clean socks.”); Galaxy Quest is definitely in the running for greatest American movie ever; I curated an abandoned patch of forest when I was a child called Questlandia (e.g. why I am going on a quest for clean socks). Registration for Binghamton Quest begins at noon-thirty on Saturday at Atomic Tom’s. It costs ten dollars, but surely, that’s a small price to pay to go a-questing. Seriously love that word. Come BinghamQuesting. It'll be fun, I promise. #BinghamQuest2015.

On the order of music, there’s quite a fine line-up planned. Acts include the indelible Falconers, with their newly released debut Red Roots. Dirt Farm, John Kanaziwich, Randy McStine, and the Stoutmen will also be playing over the course of the two-day event. The myriad street vendors include Muckles Ink with their on-site shirt screen printing, the CHOW farmer's market, Michele Irene with sheik bags, as well as Basket Case Soap, among many other artists and local crafts vendors.

The State Street Block Party is sure to be one of the early highlights of September; with LUMA being projected above, bars and art in the street, food and clothing for sale, it’s a must on your list of First Friday events to hit. So don't be shy, stop by and have an amazing evening with some of Binghamton’s grooviest movers and shakers. I mean quest-ers. I mean I love questing.

The Block Party, if you skimmed the article you dirty honey badger, is taking place September 4th, from 5-11pm, and September 5th, from 1-6pm. The Binghamton Quest sign-up starts at 12:30, and the Quest ends around 3, with registration costing $10, the grand prize being $250, and the proceeds going to charity.