Orleans’ Bids Farewell To Summer With Annual Block Party

The end of summer has many signposts, from earlier sunsets to back-to-school time, to changes in the weather. But Orleans has its own end-of-summer tradition.

For the 25th year, the Orleans Police Department held its annual end-of-summer block party on Main Street Aug. 19. On a picturesque and seasonally warm evening, residents and visitors packed Main Street between Route 6A and Route 28 for what has long become a late summer rite of passage for many.

Crowds of people came together to enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers and ice cream as well as music, games and a collection of classic cars. Children also took turns inside of fire engines and on the back of a SWAT vehicle.

The event started in 1997 as a way to celebrate the town’s bicentennial year. The popularity of the event led the police department to decide to host the event annually, save for select years in which the event was canceled due to weather.