One of the greatest aspects to life in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area is the excellent summer weather. It seems the climate switches from winter to summer virtually overnight in the volunteer state, and everyone is glad to finally have the warmer weather return. When the children are released for their annual three month break, many people like to celebrate by barbecuing. This great idea is made much better when the cookout becomes a themed party for everyone to enjoy.
A cookout is a great way to get all the neighbors in a community acclimated with one another and build community strength. While the adults relish the opportunity to meet new people, entertaining the children can be a bit more difficult. This is where a theme and a little imagination can make a big difference. Since summer is baseball season, you can have a sports themed party with athletically themed party favors and decorations. For the smaller children, the sports themed bounce house from Astro Jump of Chattanooga is the perfect way to keep them entertained for hours.
The bounce house is sure to keep the small children occupied, but it may take something a little more creative for the teenagers. This is why entertaining games such as spiral art and the dunk tank can also be added to the summer themed party. In the Chattanooga heat, there should be no shortage of volunteers looking to take a turn in the dunk tank. If the weather is deemed too hot for the children to frolic about within the bounce house, an inflatable water slide might make a more appropriate centerpiece for the outdoor get together.
These slides are available in a variety of sizes from 65 foot titans in which even adults can indulge to cozy combination water slide/bounce house for the smaller kids. These adorable combination houses even feature a wading pool and some of Disney's most memorable characters such as Finding Nemo and the Little Mermaid. In fact, an under the sea themed party may be more appropriate for a Chattanooga summer party. Setting the theme is actually quite simple. It should be easy enough to find paper plates and cups featuring the characters displayed on the bounce houses and slides. Add a matching, disposable table cloth and the party is almost ready. Of course, a few color coordinated balloons makes the entire area seem more festive.
The main event at the barbecue will of course be the food. However, preparing all the beef, pork and chicken takes some time. A snow cone machine is the perfect thing to hold the guests over until the BBQ is served. These ice cold treats are a great way to beat the heat without ruining anyone's appetite. Cotton candy is another summer time tradition here in Chattanooga, and the process to run a cotton candy machine is surprisingly simple. The person selected to man this station will surely be considered the life of the party regardless of the theme.
It only takes a little imagination and help from Astro Jump to make the next outdoor celebration the most memorable ever. The theme is a great way to break the ice between the guests, but what really matters is bringing people together. A barbecue featuring adequate entertainment for the children is one of the best ways to celebrate the coming of summer and unite the people within a neighborhood.