Luna’s Groceries annual Block Party returns to give back to the community for its support with family fun, food and music on Friday, Aug. 30.
The annual block party was started as a way to say ‘thank you’ for years of support for Luna’s Groceries, 2010 Red Arrow Trail. The grocery store was founded on being a space for people to integrate food education and healthy choices for the community. Luna’s Groceries started the same year as the COVID-19 pandemic, where it worked to educate the community on how to remain safe and healthy.
“The whole mission of Luna’s is around community, and the things that can happen when communities get together,” Mariam Nuñez, owner of Luna’s Groceries. told Madison365. “How can we, as a business, take what we receive from our customers and collaborate through the community… and not just take from it?”
Festivities on Friday will bring businesses from all around Madison to showcase their food and wares. There are 32 different businesses that will come to Luna’s Block Party.
Nuñez uses the opportunity to uplift fellow small businesses and expose the community to where they should direct their shopping. 
Live music and performances will return to keep the energy flowing. This year will see Richard Mixx, Rubulu and other Madison favorites perform. Family-friendly games, karaoke, prizes and much more will be present along with a truck from the Madison Public Library and squad cars from the police department for the community to see.
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway is set to speak at the block party, too.
This year will be a little different for the block party hours. Typically, Luna’s Block Party has been held from 1-9 p.m. Pressures from the high volume of people coming to the celebration and opening Luna’s Groceries the following day have caused Nuñez to rethink how long the block party should go.
“It’s a very work-involved day. We receive over 1,000 people. I would close at 9 and people end up leaving the parking lot at 11 p.m.” Nuñez said. “We are open for regular hours the next day. My staff finishes by the time the block party is over, so after a lot of consideration, we decided to close at 7 p.m. this year.”
Luna’s Block Party will be held on Friday, Aug. 30. 1-7 p.m. at 2010 Red Arrow Trail. It is free to attend; no registration is required. An RSVP is appreciated via Facebook.
