West Jefferson Elementary School brought the school community together on May 13 for an old-fashioned block party.

With games and demonstrations for kids, hot dogs and all kinds of fun, families wandered among the tables on a beautiful Friday night.

Principal Wendy Woodland said the block party was an event where organizations could tell the community about what they offer. At tables in front of the school were the Mountain Resource Center, Purple Bucket Composting, the Girl Scouts, Mountain Youth Football, Venue Theatre and more. Many tables had activities for kids.

Two Peak Academy of Dance dancers performed to music from the movie “Frozen,” a definite crowd pleaser. Dancers Jade Van Lennep and Autumn Jones, who attend Conifer High School, have been dancing since they were young, saying dancing was a way to express themselves. Jade called dancing her therapy, while Autumn called dancing a way to bring herself to a calm place.

Owner Danielle Heller explained that Peak Academy of Dance partners with West Jeff Elementary because they are so close that students can walk to the dance studio to see performances.

“We also wanted to be here and support the community,” Heller added.

At the Venue Theatre table, Marni Reimstein encouraged young people to get involved with theater, noting she wanted to encourage a vibrant youth theater program in Conifer.

While Emma Koch, 6, played with the hula hoops, mom Shelley Koch said the family lives close to West Jeff, and she was glad such an event afforded people the opportunity to get together.

Annie Thran with Colorado Parks & Wildlife was busy at her table talking to children and their parents about birds. She showed them eggs and skeletons to demonstrate the difference between golden and bald eagles, ravens and crows.

Haven Shookhoff, 7, visited the CPW table to learn about the birds. Her dad, Andrew Gajda, said all of the tables had such interesting activities that they hadn’t gotten far along the route yet.

“She was desperate to come (to the block party,)” Gajda said of Haven. “She’s having fun. That’s the goal.”