The first "party in the park" will not be the last, East Panorama Ridge Community Association president Debbie Lawrance says.
Saturday evening's event at Bob Rutledge Park drew 80 people from the 110 homes in the area the association represents.
"(It was) an absolutely huge turnout for our small community,"Lawrance told Peace Arch News. "I know that they want to make it an annual event."
The celebration and movie night was intended to "encourage neighbours to meet each other and become involved in helping to beautify and maintain the neighbourhood," according to a presentation to the City of Surrey.
The "old fashioned community party in the park," from 6-11 p.m. was a substantial step up from previous block parties, Lawrance said. It featured free food and entertainment, including a fresh-air movie showing.
The weather was perfect, Lawrance said, with the rain holding off until about nine hours after the party ended.