The city of Sycamore invites everyone to come out for some good old fashioned family fun at its annual Block Party this Saturday from 3 to 11 p.m.

This marks the tenth time Discover Sycamore has hosted this event and Megan Yockey, director of Discover Sycamore, 407 W. State St., Suite 10, Sycamore, said this year promises to be bigger and better than in the past.

“We have more kids activities, more food vendors, more music and more fun for adults,” Yockey said. This year’s block party will include local food vendors, music from local bands, games, bags, crafts and plenty of activities for kids, including the Wild West Kid Parade, Costume and Bike Decorating Contest.

Additionally, NIU will be present for the weekend’s festivities.

“NIU athletics is a sponsor of the block party and will be setting up a booth for promotion and meet and greets with the athletes,” Yockey said.

The block party will also include the first annual Bark on the Block contest, sponsored by Huckleberry’s Pet Parlor, 423 N. Main St,, Sycamore.

“Huckleberry’s just wanted to be involved with the block party so we came up with the idea of hosting five different contests,” said Huckleberry’s owner Jenny Kingren.

Contests include dog/owner look-a-like, best bark, best trick, best costume and best personality. The winner of each will receive a dog gift basket valued over $100. More information and registration forms are available on Huckleberry’s website, www.huckleberryspetparlor.com.

Later in the evening, the fun turns a little more adult with music from local band “Fourth Times a Charm” starting at 5 p.m., the Block Party DJ following, and a performance from Red Woody from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Yockey said there will also be a beer garden open to adults.

Yockey said this event is financed through local sponsors and Discover Sycamore Member Businesses.

“We have a lot of support from the local community,” Yockey said. “This event is Discover Sycamore’s largest fundraiser of the year. The money raised at block party goes for walk with Santa, chocolate weekend, the holiday calendar and all of our holiday marketing.”

Sycamore Mayor Ken Mundy said the Chamber of Commerce, Discover Sycamore, local merchants and businesses and other groups work very hard to put in this event in downtown Sycamore.

“The Sycamore Downtown Block Party is a great example of family fun at little or no cost,” Mundy said. “Everyone is invited to attend this small yet enjoyable fun event with food, music, and games to play.”

For more information on the Sycamore Block Party visit the Discover Sycamore website, www.discoversycamore.com.