McCarter Theatre Center will celebrate the start of its 2015-2016 season with its 5^th annual community-wide Block Party, taking place on Wednesday, August 26 from 5-8 p.m. on the front lawn of McCarter’s Matthews Stage. College Road between Alexander Road and University Place will be closed off to allow an expanded area for families to play, eat, and enjoy the day. This event is free and open to the public.

The afternoon will feature live music of the Philadelphia Jazz Orchestra, a band comprised of top high school and college jazz musicians in the Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey regions. Other highlights include the opportunity to win prizes, scavenger hunts, a dunk tank, backstage tours, and more. A new feature of this year’s Block Party will be a Beer Garden hosted by Hunterdon Brewing Company, featuring drafts from such local breweries as Weyerbacher, Riverhorse, Tröegs, and Neshaminy Creek Brewing.

Food and drink can be purchased from local eateries including Bitter Bob’s BBQ, Mr. Copper Funneland, The Cow and The Curd, Cupcakes Carnivale, Four Daughters Franks, Gil & Bert’s Ice Cream, KAMI, Maddalena’s Cheesecakes & Catering, Mediterra, Nomad Pizza, The Taco Truck, Tico’s Eatery and Juice Bar, and Surf and Turf.

Visit www.mccarter.org or call (609) 258-2787 for more information about the event and McCarter’s upcoming season. McCarter Theatre Center is located at 91 University Place.