Dozens of people gathered in Skiddy Park for the annual multi-cultural block party Thursday. It's a chance for neighbors on the near west side to have a little fun in the park.

Charitable organizations can also get their information out to an underserved neighborhood. Festival organizers say it really helps bring people together.

"Neighborhoods are very important, residents are very important,” said Near West Side Initiative Board Chair Sheena Solomon. “There would be no neighborhoods without residents. Being able to have residents participate in the planning, participate in the event, they are here volunteering, giving out food. That's really what it's about. It's about people for me."

It's the 9th year the block party has been held at Skiddy Park.