UPDATED: Whitnall Block Party Set for Saturday

Updated Friday, Sept. 16. For a full list of party's events, click here.

Organizers of last fall’s were not sure how successful their event would be.

It was the first party of its kind hosted by the district, a party designed to promote community togetherness and get people excited about the start of school.

Turns out it was so popular, the district is at it again.

This year’s Back to School Block Party will be from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, on S. 116th Street between and .

“We had a phenomenal turnout (last year), a great outpouring by business that donated all kinds of money and prizes, and the people came out,” said event co-organizer Quin Brunette. “We didn’t know what we’d have but we had upwards of a thousand people. We think we’ll have at least that this weekend.”

The event will feature all sorts of games, food and entertainment for the entire family.

Party-goers can climb a rock wall from 1-4 p.m., children and teenagers can compete in a free-throw contest featuring Milwaukee Bucks mascot Bango and all can visit with Bernie Brewer of the Milwaukee Brewers.

There will also be laser tag from 1-7 p.m. The cost  for laser tag is $2 per person/per game and everyone who participates must have a waiver form signed by a parent. The form is available on the Whitnall website on the Block Party schedule page. Forms will also be available at the activity.

Among the acts in the entertainment band will be Mr. Romero's Neighborhood, comprised mostly of Whitnall middle and high school students. The band, led by lead singers Jesse Romero, a 10th-grader, and Helen Baker, an eighth-grader, has been rehearsing all summer and will perform a variety of pop songs.

The band's other members are Sean Sison (ninth grade, bass player), Chandler Carroll (10th grade, guitarist), Samantha Dorlack (eighth grade, keyboard player) and AJ Sidhu (10th grade, drummer).

All students are from the Whitnall School District, with the exception of Chandler Carroll, who attends West Allis Central.

Another band, Saturday Detention, featuring high school principal Anthony Brazouski and eight current or former high school staff members, will perform at 5:45 p.m. Brazouski sings lead vocal and plays guitar; other band members are Stafford Kramer (alternative education/guitar) Dan Makal (social studies/lead guitar, backup vocals) Kevin Schmidt (social studies/bass guitar), Paula Pekarski (special education/keyboard), Cheryl Staats (special education/drums, backup vocals), Pat Dueling (retired art teacher/harmonica), Chris Nowak (instrumental music/horns) and Chris Blanchard (instrumental music/ horns, violin).

"We are very excited to take the stage for a full set this year," Brazouski said.

Local businesses, including Greenfield Patch, will have representatives at the event, and there will be five to six food vendors, according to Brunette, who stressed the event is open to the entire community, not just those families who attend who have children in a Whitnall school.

Brunette said everything except for food and laser tag, should it be approved, is free.

All proceeds will benefit Whitnall’s Fine Arts programs.

For those attending the party, parking will be available at Whitnall Middle School and Edgerton Elementary, as well as street parking to the south and Schoetz Park. Parking is also available at church.

The Whitnall High School lots will not be available for block party parking, only for a volleyball tournament and Whitnall Youth Football parking, and 116th Street will be closed to thru traffic beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday.