Looking to spice up the living experience in your mobile home park community? Do you want to get to know your residents a little better and build some neighborly bonds? This is a surprisingly difficult task to achieve. It’s easy to live past each other, even when we stay in the same place. But getting your residents to mingle with each other is much easier when you plan a few community events throughout the year!
January
New Year’s
As the day that literally kicks off the new calendar year, this event observed all over the world doesn’t even need to be marked down on your calendars. Is there any better way to tackle the new year than together, as a community? You’ll still be deep in winter, so a relaxing day in your community hall to recover from the previous night’s party might be the best bet.
Martin Luther King Day
Martin Luther King Day happens on the 3rd Monday of every January. This means that in 2019 it will fall on the 21st. Although there should already be plenty of events commemorating this important political figure and activist, you can always have one for your residents. Commemorative performances, lectures, workshops, or just coming together and talking as a community are all possibilities.
Inauguration Day (?)
Every time that the people elect a new president of the United States, the following January 20th becomes Inauguration Day. The next election will be in 2020 which means the next Inauguration Day will be 2021. If it falls on a weekend, the date will move to the nearest Monday. The president will be sworn in exactly at noon and it would be appropriate to all gather and watch the ceremony. This is an important event as it’s both a celebration of America as well as the democratic process.
February
Superbowl Sunday
Super Bowl LIII 2019 will fall on the 3rd of February. Already watched by over 100 million Americans, it can make for a great occasion to bring the sports-lovers in your community together. Put the community hall to use or use a vacant home to show the game on a big projector. Organize plenty of snacks and junk food, and you’re good to go!
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day on the 14th of February has long since not been solely for the “Valentines”. Nowadays, singles also take this day to appreciate being on their own or to try and find love through speed dating or singles’ parties. All of these types of events can easily be hosted in your mobile home community. Who knows? You might just actually help some of your residents find everlasting love.
March
Spring party
Spring is the time of year we associate with the renewal of life, nature, happiness, and new beginnings. Doesn’t that already sound like enough cause for celebration? Although there is no dedicated “Spring festival”, it’s celebrated in different ways by different cultures. It also means you can get creative and do with it what you want.
Cleanup day
This season is the perfect time to air out the mustiness of winter and welcome the fresh air of spring. Organize a spring cleaning in your park. Encourage tenants to clean out their homes and pick up their yards. You might consider a spring cleaning party where everyone donates their unused goods. Or, if you feel like your park is in need of a facelift, check out our article on how to plan a cleanup day in your community.
St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is a religious and cultural holiday held on the 17th of March. Originally observed as the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, it is now mostly known as a day to celebrate Irish culture or to go to a bar and have a drink with friends. This can be a fun day for everyone of all ages with having fun being the main aim of the day. Funky costumes inspired by Irish culture and a lot of green is a must!
April
Good Friday
Although it technically forms part of the Easter celebrations, Good Friday has enough gravitas to be considered an event on its own. Good Friday is a Christian holiday specifically commemorating the death and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It’s held on Friday preceding Easter Sunday which means it also moves from year to year, although it’s generally between the end of March and April. It’s meant to be a solemn day of remembrance and is an official public holiday in 12 U.S. states.
Easter
While it’s mostly known as a Christian observance, Easter is celebrated by just about everyone. In 2019, it will fall on April 21, although it will fall on different dates as it moves every year. Easter Sunday usually includes fun activities, especially for the kids, such as Easter egg painting, Easter egg hunting, etc. and sometimes a potluck meal too. Read our article on how to plan the perfect Easter egg hunt for your residents.
Spring Break
Many schools let out for Spring Break around this time of year. With the kids at home, your tenants will appreciate some fun activities to get the family out of the house and doing something together. Host some of these easy-to-plan events and ask your tenants to get involved!
May
Mother’s Day
May is a busy month, but it won’t do to forget about that person in your life that feeds you, wipes away your tears, and is always waiting for you with open arms and a loving heart – your dear mom. A great idea could be to have all the kids, fathers, grandfathers, etc. contribute to create a special day for moms where they can be pampered and don’t need to lift a finger.
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo is a day that memorializes and celebrates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla. It’s held on the 5th of May. Like most Latin American special occasions, it’s celebrated with plenty of food, festivals, parades, and dance.
Memorial Day
Held on the 27th of May, Memorial Day, also known as Decoration Day, is an American military day of remembrance where we honor and commemorate those fallen in battle. Earlier in the month, there is also Armed Forces day which remembers those who are currently serving in the military. However, Memorial Day is the most important of the three. It wraps up this month of honoring those who serve us in the military. For a few ideas on how to observe this day in your park, read this article.
June
International Children’s Day
If you run a family-friendly mobile home park, then this day is particularly relevant to you. Find out more about planning the perfect kid-centered event here.
Father’s Day
Just because Mother’s Day is the day where we celebrate one of those people who has had a profound impact on our lives, doesn’t mean the dads get left behind completely. This day falls on the 16th of June and is celebrated all over the world. Just like before, it’s time to let the dads take a day off and kick back.
July
Independence Day
What day can be more important than the day we officially adopted the Declaration of Independence? The 4th of July still commemorates this day, almost 250 years later and is also known as the United State’s “National Day”. An all-out celebration of living in America, this day is usually met with fireworks, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, and picnics – all of which can be held in your park.
August
End of summer party
The high-Summer months of July and August are relatively quiet except for the massive 4th of July. However, both of these months can be a great opportunity to hold events around summer activities like barbecues, picnics, etc. In August especially, it can be a great time to have a Summer “farewell” party before Fall and Winter disrupts our days of sunshine and warmth. Check out our article for more ideas for Summer events in your park.
September
Labor Day
Celebrated on the first Monday of September, Labor Day is a public holiday in honor of the American labor movement. It memorializes the immense contributions of the workforce to America as a country. With everyone taking a day off from work or school, this is the perfect opportunity for relaxing and wholesome fun for the whole family. In 2019, the date for this holiday will be 2 September.
October
Columbus Day
Although Independence Day is considered the most important date in the U.S., it might not exist if Christopher Columbus didn’t arrive when he did. The actual date of this historical event was the 12th of October, but it’s held on the second Monday of October in the U.S (14th in 2019). This day is celebrated with themed parties, parades, and other activities. It can be a fun day for both young and old.
Halloween
October packs yet another themed observance that requires no introduction. This spooky day filled with costumes treats, and the ghastly is one the kids probably spent weeks eagerly preparing for. However, you can do more than just trick-or-treating. Pumpkin carving contests, costume patents, Halloween movie marathon, etc., are all fantastic pre-Halloween events.
November
Veteran’s Day
It seems more than reasonable to put aside one day a year for those who have given so much to keep us, our loved ones, and our country safe. The 11th of November is that day. Although there are other dates where we remember those in specific conflicts throughout the year, this is the one day where we show our appreciation to all veterans.
World Kindness Day
World Kindness Day falls on the 13th of November. You can build an event around this holiday that inspires your community to show kindness to each other. For more ideas, read our article on Showing Kindness In Your Park And Helping Your Residents Do The Same.
Thanksgiving
Celebrated throughout North America, Thanksgiving is one of those days marked on all our calendars. It’s held on the fourth Thursday in November, remembering those who sought freedom from persecution. Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for your residents and to remember all the good things you’ve been given this year. Don’t forget to plan an event to celebrate it with your residents.
Fall celebrations
Fall is a great time for many other outdoor activities and events. The weather is cooler but not yet unbearable. Harvest festivals, pie sales or competitions, outdoor sports, etc. are all great ideas to build community events around as we show in 11 Ideas For A Family-Fun, Fall Party In Your Mobile Home Park.
December
Christmas
Most of us already have the 24th and the 25th of December engraved in our minds as a merry day of family, food, and gift-giving. This holiday certainly needs no introduction. Remember that most of your residents will be using at least one, if not both, of these days for family events. In order to celebrate it together, you might have to hold an event a few days before or after.
New Year’s Eve
Well, if you’ve taken the opportunities for some fun-filled, community-building events in your park this year, you’re probably ready for a break! However, there is one last crucial event to mark the conclusion of a successful and exciting here in your community: New Year’s Eve. Although the new year is usually welcomed with a party, you can do something much more relaxing like a community vigil and firework show. Make sure your park’s rules and regulations for the evening are in place to keep everyone safe.
Don’t let the year pass you by!
By involving the community (planning committee, anyone?), it’s easy to host multiple events in your park every year. These kind of events are great to help build a strong sense of community, get to know each other, and just to have fun! With these dates at hand, you should already have some inspiration for regular, seasonal events at your mobile home park. There are plenty more, like charity fundraisers, that you can host at any time.
About Dan Paton
