What makes July 4th in Philly? A block party.

Few things are more American, more emblematic of our collective melting pot, than a city block party on the Fourth of July.

Neighbors catch up to hold new babies and learn who’s passed. They talk about the Sixers trade or their latest surgeries, and, of course, the heat that hangs all over us.

Hopefully, someone’s inflating a pool or filling a water balloon.

Everyone and everything is sweating, including the beers. The air smells of charcoal briquettes, sparklers, and, in the Ludlow section of Philadelphia, hints of jerk seasoning and Spanish rice.

That’s where Johanna Rodriguez and Michael Cunningham were mixing fresh lemonade Saturday as they watched their daughter and son splash around in the above-ground swimming pool in the middle of their Jefferson Street block.

“Obviously, having a block party with all the neighbors coming together is always the best. Just hanging out and talking about the old days. It brings back the classic vibes,” Rodriguez said. “On top of that, it’s about making sure our kids get to experience what we got when we were their age.”

The block’s “OGs” were out in full force, applying for permits, coordinating who will be grill master, and erecting party tables to turn Jefferson Street into a Puerto Rican Fourth of July, Cunningham said, gesturing to his mother-in-law, Carmen “Terry” Torres, the block captain and resident of more than 50 years.

Rodriguez said the block takes Fourth of July seriously because it’s one of the only times of the year where everyone comes outside to enjoy the festivities and see each other in person. It also provides the classic July Fourth fun outside during a time where many kids are used to hanging out inside.

Torres, alongside her neighbor of more than 30 years, Elizabeth Reyes, transforms Jefferson Street into a barbacoa party, taking the cuisine pioneered by the Taino people.

No one sacrifices more on 100-degree Independence Day than the grill master. In Ludlow, that was Danny Torres, who runs the barbeque business The Latin Grill, only lives a few houses down from Torres and Reyes, and along with his wife, Lisa Desamoir, will be supplying the prized smoked meats to the entire neighborhood.

Desamoir, a retired firefighter who had the local Engine 29 truck stop by to treat the kids earlier in the day, was taking inventory of the more than 50 chicken wings, whole slabs of pork shoulder (with a crunchy skin for added texture), and nearly dozens of chicken kebabs. These would go nicely alongside the macaroni salad, corn on the cob, Spanish rice, and more sides that neighbors prepared, Desamoir said.

“Danny is making a whole Caribbean vibe cause he’s got the jerk seasoning and Puerto Rican flavors,” Desamoir said.

In Point Breeze, Robin Miller and her neighbors were having an inaugural block party. Miller and another neighbor had a small outdoor hangout, then wanted to make it official and invite the whole block. What better day to throw the block’s first party than the 250th anniversary of the United States? Miller said.

A bounce castle took over the middle of the block and, in an inflatable pool nearby, a group of young children and teens lay with just their faces sticking out of the water, like alligators.

Joy Fields-Butler and Christine Mardre, neighbors and friends, sat underneath one of the canopies situated along the street. For them, this block party is about bringing together all walks of life on the block, from fostering formative memories for the children to bringing a diverse array of adults to kick back, share a beer, and even join in on the water gunfights with the little ones, Mardre said.

“It’s diverse on this block, and days like today have all of us coming together,” she said. “Today, there is no arguing, there is no drama, it’s just a party.”

Miller enjoyed the experience of neighbors coming together to do something special, feeling very Philadelphian, she said, as the city is known for its rich neighborhood culture.

“Our neighborhood pitched in, and a lot of us pooled together to get the inflatable pool or the bounce castle,” Miller said. “The food spread is basically for the entire neighborhood, and people just keep coming out and replenishing anything that’s run out.”

Meanwhile, an annual South Philly block party near 21st and McKean Streets was celebrating decades of tradition. Resident Monica Elder, who’s been there 38 years, said the party dates back decades. Now 55, Elder has become one of the leaders on the block who watch over children and preside over the festivities.

“Cooking, eating, dancing — everybody participates. Whether we know you or not, everyone is welcome,” Elder said.

By 5 p.m., the good times were getting a bit of a late start due to the blistering temps. Elder’s son, Jeremiah Worthem, helmed the grill. He said block parties build community and serve as a chance for neighbors — many have been here for decades — to meet up. “It’s a good time,” Worthem said. “Just building these memories.”