Lawndale resident Karen Dean walked down the middle of Old Route 66 along Ogden Avenue, recording the vintage cars lined up down the road and talking to their owners.

To her, being surrounded by her community Sunday felt good for the heart, soul and spirit.

“There’s just so much genuineness,” Dean said. “And it’s so welcoming to everyone.”

Dean attended the Firehouse Block Party for Peace in North Lawndale. The annual event, now in its 18th year, was combined for the first time this year with Chicago’s Historic 66 Classic Car Show, which featured a day of live music, food and clothing vendors on Chicago’s West Side.

The block party was free, which Dean said is important at a time when prices are surging on just about everything. Making the block party accessible encourages more people

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