Annual Punta Gorda Block Party event planned through this committee In 1987, the first Block Party was organized to celebrate the centennial of Punta Gorda. After its resounding success, city officials asked the volunteer organizers to continue the event on an annual basis. This year's party will be the 25th. The makeup of that group of community-minded group of citizens has changed over the years, but the same small committee of volunteers devotes countless hours of time to organize the event. Block Party has always been held downtown to highlight the rejuvenation of downtown Punta Gorda that began in the late 1980s. That rejuvenation was only slowed by Hurricane Charley, and attendees will notice several major building projects recently completed in and around the Block Party. More than 40 nonprofit organizations earn between $200 and $4,500 each during the day of the Block Party. The Block Party will be in the area north of Olympia between U.S. 41 north and U.S. 41 south. Traffic on Taylor Street, Sullivan Street, Retta Esplanade and West Marion Avenue in this area will be closed to traffic. Every single dollar you spend at the Block Party will stay in the community.