Big Blanket will join the Party
Trending
The Block Party is a "big tent" event, bringing together many components -- music, comedy, vendors market, food, community, etc. -- under one banner.
This year it adds a "big blanket" to that big tent.
The Block Party 2026 at B&O Station in Youngstown is adding a third stage for Saturday's event.
"We're calling it the Big Blanket Stage," said Mikey Caraballo, one of the co-founders of The Neighborhood Events, which stages the festival. "We've been pulling inspiration from New York and some other big cities where we've been seeing these big blanket picnics pop up. Picture a very large blanket, unfathomably large, and they do public gatherings on these huge blankets. It really brings people together and builds a sense of community."
Just how big will it be? Caraballo couldn't say on Monday.
"We are actively buying blankets until all the way up to the night before the event," he said. "It'd be really hard to put a measurement on it right now. But we are trying to go as big as possible and fill it with attractions and just space for people to hang out and really enjoy the newly renovated Spring Commons Park."
That's another development past attendees will notice. Extensive improvements have been made to the grounds of the B&O Station that will enhance this year's Block Party.
"They've completely transformed the park," Caraballo said. "They completely redid the landscaping. There's a new floating dock on the river. It's not one level piece of ground all the way to the water anymore. There's a retaining wall and some steps that go down. There's a full cement walkway. It's like a nice loop around it. They built a new arbor, lots of patio furniture and open green space. That's just in the park area. They redid the whole stage that's already built-in there between the pavilion and the B&O Station. I can't put into words how beautiful it looks."
As organizers watched the progress of the renovations around B&O, it influenced some of The Block Party's plans and how they wanted to use the space.
"We've carefully crafted our ideas to bring something new and exciting to the event this year, but also give some space for people to take in how much has changed and really enjoy all the changes they've made."
Acoustic acts on the Big Blanket Stage will be IndigOforest and moestunes. The Block Party Stage will feature Ursa, multiple sets by DJ Stu, and an hour of comedy starting at 7 p.m. featuring Tim Wolfe, Jo Rou and Matt O'Nesti.
The comedy component of the festival expanded last year, and organizers made some changes to better showcase standup this year.
"Most of these comics (perform) in small cellars or clubs, and it's a real enclosed, tight atmosphere," Caraballo said. "It's a big change when they're out in the open like that (at an outdoor festival). We're creating more of a closed environment on one of the stages that makes it feel more like a club this year."
The Main Stage lineup will feature a mix of local and regional talent -- Honey Brother, Rent for Cheryl (which headlined Akron's Porchrokr festival last weekend), Antonio Labra Experience, The NightCap Band and Dan the Admin.
Labra, who normally performs with his siblings in the Labra Brothers, will be doing something a little different Saturday. Caraballo said the performance was inspired by seeing Antonio Labra's percussion solo when the Labra Brothers headlined The Block Party two years ago.
"We're gonna label it the Antonio Labra Experience, and from what I've seen through his rehearsals, it is going to be an experience," Caraballo said. "He has something really special planned. It's going to be about a 20-minute set. He's giving it his all. There's a couple twists and turns and a couple entertainment enhancements that'll be happening. It's going to be a really interactive set, and I know that he's fine tuning it every day. At one point, I told him to stop sharing it with me. I just want to be surprised, because I already liked the direction it was going. I think he's going to live up to the name the Antonio Labra Experience."
Neighborhood Events is partnering with Youngstown Flea for its makers market, dubbed Flea&O, which will feature at least 35 vendors. There will be a beer garden with canned brews from several local craft breweries and puppies to pet from a rescue shelter.
Admission on Saturday is $10, but tickets are available in advance at www.theneigborhoodevents.com with the option to pay what you want. Some pay less than $10, but other contribute more, and Neighbood Events' ultimate goal is to make The Block Party a free event.
If you go …
WHAT: The Block Party 2026
WHEN: 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: B&O Station, 530 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown
HOW MUCH: Admission is $10 the day of the event, but advance tickets can be purchased for a "pay-what-you-want" price online at www.theneigborhoodevents.com.