By 5p, the chance of rain forecast for Pike/Pine is 10% and sick beats, 110%. That’s what the kids tell us. Welcome to CHS’s 2012 CHBP coverage. We’ll update with open thread posts through the weekend with a focus on the people making it happen, the crowds and the community around the festival. We’ve told you a bit about the back-story for the 2012 Block Party here — a long-time driver of the event is now the man in charge. We’ll also be tweeting from the event and grabbing pictures of the goings-on. You can follow @jseattle and @chsfuntern to play along. Let us know what you’re seeing. You can also call/txt (206) 399-5959 or email us at chs@capitolhillseattle.com. Have fun.

• Friday started with thunder and lightning. If CHS were the new owner of Block Party, we would have been freaking out. But the forecast really does show things starting to dry and staying that way with the start of gates opening at 3p. That forecast looks ok into Sunday when the plan is for more drizzle. By then, the place will probably need a bath.
• Thee Oh Sees, Allen Stone, and Fitz and the Tantrums give the main stage their first big workout tonight.
• Sound check went off as normal Friday despite the weather. Organizers told CHS they had “contingency plans” but didn’t offer specifics other than to say there are no planned cancellations for any Friday acts.