Throw a Memorial Day Pool Party

Memorial Day weekend at our house has been for the last 14 years a time to celebrate birthdays. It is also the traditional time for the year's first official barbeque and pool opening. Sometimes the weather has not wanted to cooperate with the swimming aspect of the party but we still try to enjoy the outdoors. The pool and barbeque party was designed as a family party with fun things to do for all ages. Since almost everyone swims and knows CPR we didn't have to worry about accidents in the pool. Our dogs even enjoy the party since they swim too.

The last few years we have kept with the tropical island theme for the Memorial Day party with people wearing lots of leis and citronella torches around the pool. Guests are encouraged to wear Hawaiian themed clothing. Pork spareribs are usually the barbeque item of choice and it works out great in keeping with the island theme. Since I am reluctant to pit roast a whole pig as they do in a traditional luau, the spareribs work out just fine.

Decorator items for the party can be found at our local Dollar store. The citronella torches are readily available at Wal-Mart and Rite-Aid. We mount the torches to the deck surrounding the pool. We don't have any trees or shrubbery close to the pool area so I don't have to worry about fire danger with the torches.

Toys for the pool are either brought out from storage from last year or bought new at the local Wal-Mart or Dollar store. I don't like to get too many inflatable toys since they deteriorate so rapidly each year. I tend to get the foam noodles at the Dollar store or diving rings. We also have a well made set of lawn toys such as a badminton set and a volley ball with a net. The badminton and volley ball games are set up on the front lawn to keep the kids from hitting the balls into the pool.

I like to keep 2 ice chests full of bottled water and sodas as well as a large tapped cooler of ice cold lemonade for beverages. Since none of our immediate family drinks alcohol we discourage guests from bringing their own bottles of alcoholic drinks. We have known first hand that swimming and alcohol don't mix. It is our one way to make sure that everyone has a good time without having to worry about fights or arguments breaking out as they usually do when alcohol is invited to the party.

Our sunsets are at 9pm or later at the end of May and the last thing on the party list is an open pit fire that we have. The fire is usually done in our large manmade fire pit and is surrounded by benches. It is a great way to end the day with late leaving guests that just want to stay, talk and stay warm around the fire.