On Saturday, September 20, 2025, Bester Community of Hope marked a major milestone by hosting its 10th Annual South End Community Block Party, a beloved celebration of family, community, and connection. Drawing nearly 2,000 attendees to Hagerstown City Park, the event brought neighbors together for an afternoon filled with music, food, activities, and meaningful engagement. The festivities began with a lively performance by the South Hagerstown High School Marching Band, returning for a second year to energize the crowd and set the tone for the afternoon. Their performance underscored the event’s focus on youth, local talent, and community pride. More than 40 local vendors and organizations were on-site to offer valuable resources in areas like healthcare, education, childcare, and a clothing give away. Residents had the chance to speak directly with service providers, ask questions, and learn about programs available to support families.
Tamela Lyons of RPL Holistic Wellness, a returning vendor, shared:
“I was so excited to return for this year’s event because of the connections I see being made between the residents and community partners. I truly enjoy seeing how this event brings people together.”
To ensure the event remained accessible to all, the local nonprofit It’s A Blessing to Be A Blessing generously provided free small plate food samples, removing cost barriers and allowing families to enjoy a day full of memories. A standout moment of the day was the performance by the legendary Chuck Brown Band, whose roots in go-go music brought an electric energy to the park. Hagerstown resident Kathleen shared her excitement:
“I unexpectedly came across an actually famous band playing at City Park! I’ve been a huge fan of go-go music since Chuck Brown introduced it in the ’80s. What a kick to get to see his band play. And play they did! That music was all I needed.”
New to this year’s event was a community mural project led by Joyce and Malaika, two students from the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts. Together with children and families, they created a mobile mural celebrating community pride and creativity, which will be displayed at various events throughout the South End. Families also enjoyed a wide range of free activities, including laser tag, archery, and axe throwing, hosted by Joint Training Facility (JTF). And to the delight of many young guests, Spider-Man himself made a surprise appearance — offering high-fives, photo ops, and plenty of superhero charm.
The South End Community Block Party is more than just a fun afternoon, it’s a living example of how community collaboration and connection can drive lasting change. It provides a space where families can enjoy quality time together, residents can access vital resources, and the strength of the South End is celebrated loud and proud.
Bester Community of Hope is a community-driven initiative of San Mar Family & Community Services, focused on supporting and strengthening families in the South End of Hagerstown. Its holistic, prevention-first approach is made possible through strong partnerships with the Maryland Governor’s Office of Children, Washington County Department of Social Services, and the Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Foundation.
To learn more about Bester Community of Hope and its work to build a thriving South End, visit www.besterhope.org.
The Governor’s Office for Children funded this project under award number 2025- ENGH-008. All points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of any State or Federal agency.
Photography provided by Evermoore Artistry.
