It’s Summer! That means Outdoor Parties and Backyard Celebrations!

Graduation parties are happening now!

If you have to give or host a graduate party… but don’t know where to begin… We have some fun and unusual ideas to help get you started. With the help from QCTV, we’ve listed some very cool themes, decorations with personality and fun entertainment ideas for an unforgettable outdoor graduation party. 

1.  Oldy Tyme Fun:   

Use old newspaper print, black and white photos, recycled items to create a vintage shabby chic party look. An outdoor movie theater or a bonfire are other great options to keep things lively into the evening. For the tables use cool newspaper sheets as table runners, add fun facts about the graduate printed on them… add a pop of color using geraniums or other flowers in a bucket. Forget the old standard coolers… instead use an old washtub and a wheelbarrow to hold ice and beverages.   

2. Bon Voyage Party:   

For a child going off to college, add paraphanalia from the college they’ll be attending. Have a last dance… dance floor. Frame the dance floor using shepherd hooks and lights wrapped around the outer edges to define the area. 

3. Sundaes on Saturday:  

Tubs of ice cream and sauce are the only things on the menu! Set up tables with centerpieces to match the theme of your party. Ask your local florist about floral sundaes for centerpieces and decoration. Instead of posters of your graduate… cut out several 5″ x7″ pieces of colored paper and adhered 4 x6 photos on them… punch holes at the tops of them and string through some ribbon or string. Hang the photos in various places throughout your party area. Dance off those Sundae Calories by having a dance floor and music.

4. S’more Party:  

Have an evening bonfire with a S’more bar. Include decadent chocolates and gourmet marshmallows. Go to www.smoresbook.comto find S’more great ideas! Add friends with guitars, tell stories and sing around the campfire and reminisce about the High School Days. Remember to have your HoeJoe handy.

If you want to see these ideas and more ideas like these…

check out this video 
www.qctv.org/suburbanmix/full.php 
(Click on “watch full episode” to the left of the video screen for entire episode) 
Within it you’ll see Kelli Kaufer in the “You’re Invited Segment” showing Grad party ideas.

Thanks to the New Twins Stadium, Downtown Minneapolis has been transformed.

Downtown Minneapolis is a newly hip cool place for folks to wander the streets, enjoy the outdoor venues, travel on the light rail and feel like they are on vacation in their own backyard. 

The HoeJoe staff enjoyed the inaugural events at the 2010 Twin’s Opener. The fanfare was awesome… bringing back star players to raise flags, and celebrate outdoor baseball! If you’re heading to a game, you may want to know that parking can be tough downtown… especially during day games. Be sure to check the various public transportation schedules for buses,  North-Star Rail and the Light Rail to see if they run before and after game times… it could relieve some stress and help you avoid paying $20.00 or more for parking.
 
The HoeJoe folks hope you take a tip from this new outdoor baseball scene and get outside and enjoy the great Minnesota summers. If you’re a Twins fan but can’t get out to the new outdoor stadium… we can suggest that you create your own outdoor baseball party and invite the neighbors! We think this would be fun, here are some of our ideas…

• 1. Suggest everyone wear Twin’s gear and head on over to your backyard.
• 2. Set up your TV set outside on the patio and bring out the lawn chairs.
• 3. As the day turns into evening… start a bonfire to keep folks warm and create a cozy ambiance while you recap the game highlights.
• 4. Serve up hot dogs and beer… place the beer in buckets of ice…
  Hamm’s or Beer from local breweries are a great way to set the stage.
• 5. Instead of heating the dogs yourself… get roasting forks and allow folks to roast their own over the open bonfire or outdoor fireplace.
• 6. For dessert have a S’more bar… include marsh-mellows, graham crackers, slices of apples, peanut butter and chocolates… folks can create their own unique treat.
• 7. And of course… Don’t forget to have your American made HoeJoe handy so that the fire can be safely maintained throughout the festivities!