Member Profile: Springfield’s The Block Party

What began as a modest neighborhood gathering has grown into one of Springfield’s most anticipated annual events, thanks to the leadership and vision of Benjamin Wilkinson. As organizer of Springfield’s The Block Party, Wilkinson has helped grow the free, family-friendly celebration into a vibrant showcase of local business, art, music, and community. Spanning ten city blocks and drawing thousands each year, the event reflects Springfield’s entrepreneurial spirit and deep pride of place. In this member profile, The Springfield Chamber of Commerce spoke with Wilkinson about the passion and purpose behind the party – and what’s next for this growing tradition.

Tell us a little about Springfield’s The Block Party
Springfield’s The Block Party is one magical night (annually), many years In the making! A revitalization celebration of activities, music, art, community, and more; The Block Party is free, family-friendly and everyone Is welcome.

How did you get started in your industry?
I’ve been hosting birthday parties for almost 40 years, but I (naively) volunteered to take over The Block Party in 2022 when the original organizers of the small celebration wanted to hand it off to another Springfield business owner. Since then, I’ve built upon a career in customer service, small business management, and event production (not to mention sales, social, and yoga) to grow the event from a very part-time volunteer gig, to nearly 500 hours a year.

What services do you offer and what makes Springfield’s The Block Party unique?
The Block Party exists to gather the greater Springfield business, civic, social service, and resident communities together for an annual celebration of the DIY, working-class community that was founded here 140 years ago and persists today, with the spirit of entrepreneurship and resilience.

I can’t think of another celebration quite like it in Oregon – where the festival is free for 10K+ people, organized by private citizens, and supported almost entirely by small businesses, like those that are members of the Springfield Chamber.

We offer Sponsors an opportunity to celebrate their success in Lane County (and beyond) with their name on Springfield’s largest and coolest party, which is just getting started. In our sixth year, The Block Party activates 10 City Blocks (which is also an ODOT Highway), and includes over 100 businesses, food and beverage trucks, social organizations, and activities for kids of all ages.

What do you like most about your work?
It’s hard to express how incredible it is to see children overjoyed at bouncy castles in the street, community members connecting with their friends over a craft beer, or the cross-cultural connections between The Block Party and Herencia Hispana, celebrating Hispanic Heritage in Springfield on the same night!

But all of those are just examples of bringing people together in a shared public space that we call our home. I love connecting humans with other humans in a joyous and celebratory way. That’s what we need now more than ever.

Any advice for others?
Follow your instinct and skills patiently, where it feels correct, with a sense of confidence. The Block Party succeeded because Springfield needed it more than we realized. It’s part hard work, part tapping into the current trends, and very much part dumb luck that the community loved the event and helped it grow. We have such an incredible party, just for our little lumber town, and that wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t planned it, or stayed stuck in my previous career paths.

Anything else you’d like to share?
In 2025, we launched Community Activation Network – our 501c3 nonprofit – designed to allow tax-deductible donations for The Block Party, but also to expand our community-building efforts at the center of Springfield. Look for more events, community connections, and activated space to come!

About Springfield’s The Block Party
Springfield’s The Block Party exists to bring the community together and celebrate the city’s vibrant culture. As Mayor Sean VanGordon noted in his 2025 State of the City Address, “The success of our 2024 Springfield Block Party demonstrates the importance of bringing each other together. Families joined to celebrate our community with games, music, and shared experiences.”