Beth Brown sits with her three small grandchildren and watches as other members of her family play in a corn hole tournament — one of the many activities at a block party at Memorial Methodist Church Saturday afternoon.

The event has become a tradition for the long-time church member.

“I’ve been to every one of these except one,” Brown said. “It really brings a lot of the community out.”

Besides a cake and pie contest, block party-goers were treated to a free food, a health fair, music and several activities.

The event drew between 70 and 100 people to the Memorial Street church, Pastor Brad Jenkins estimated.

Some, like Brown and her family, had been coming to the party for years. Others, like Wayne Crank, of Ironton, came for the first time.

“It’s nice,” said Crank, who brought his step-grandson, Carl, to the event.

While Crank listened to music by harmonica player Kermit Nance, Carl enjoyed a bouncy house and parachute games.

“I like jumping in the inflatable,” he said.

Pastor Brad Jenkins said the event is all about reaching out to the community.

“We don’t do this to make money,” Jenkins said. “The times we live in are tough. It’s all just free — an extension of the love of Christ to the people.

“There’s such a negative look on churches and Christians these days,” Jenkins said. “We hope they walk away with a positive feeling and know we care for them and that God loves them no matter what.”