Hosting a block party is a great way to encourage neighbors to spend time together and get to know one another. But in order to inspire good conversation and encourage people to attend, you may need to do more than toss a few hot dogs on a grill and fill a cooler with beer. If you want to host the block party of the decade, consider setting up a wine-tasting event for your neighbors. Here are some guidelines and tips to get you started.

Rent tables and chairs to make the area comfortable.

Wine tasting is not the sort of thing you do while awkwardly perched against a chainlink fence. To make sure it's comfortable for attendees to linger and taste, consider renting tables and chairs from a party supply company like Party People Rentals & Sales. You can set up a few rows of tables under a large tent. Place a few chairs at each table for guests who would rather sit. Consider putting chairs on one side of the tables and leaving the other side bare for attendees who would rather stand.

Set up one type of wine at each table.

Head to your local wine store, and purchase a few wines of each variety. For instance, you could purchase three or four Rieslings, a few Merlots, and a couple of Pinot Noirs. You could even stick to a certain theme, such as wines from your home state or only wines from France. Depending on how large your neighborhood is or how many people you expect to attend, you may want to buy several bottles of each wine. This way, you can replace bottles as they are emptied.

Set up one type of wine at each table. For instance, put all of the Rieslings at one table and all of the Cabernets at another. Make a label for each table. This way, guests can gather at the tables with the wines they enjoy most. Also, set up a table with a few plastic coolers of water for rinsing glasses.

Ask neighbors to pitch in financially.

Clearly, hosting a wine tasting event will be a bit costly. To help defray the costs, ask neighbors who attend to contribute financially. Add up what you spend on the wine and other supplies, and divide that cost by the approximate number of people you expect to attend. Send a notice out to the neighbors at least a week or two before the event asking them to RSVP and advising them as to the amount you expect them to contribute.

Have neighbors bring their own glasses and snacks.

This is a good way to keep costs down. Have each neighbor who attends bring a wine-compatible snack to share along with their own tasting glasses. Anything from cheese, to chocolate, to fresh fruit works well. Supply a few plastic wine glasses for anyone who forgets theirs.

Set up a kids' area, if needed.

If you live in a neighborhood where there are few or no children, this may not be necessary. But if your neighbors have little ones, it's smart to provide them with some sort of entertainment. Renting a bounce house is always an option, but if you're trying to stick to a budget, you could set up a kiddy pool, a sprinkler, or a slip-and-slide where they can cool off and play in the water. Kids may also love a table with coloring books and crayons.

Planning a wine tasting event for your neighbors may take some time, but it will be worth it in the end. Consider forming a committee with a few other neighbors; the work will be easier if you divide and conquer!