Ways to Keep Weenie Roasts Fun

Some of my favorite childhood memories involve a bonfire, my parents, and a hot-dog fork. Weenie roasts are perfect for Halloween or any fall gathering. If your yard has a fire pit, you've no doubt begun your own bonfire traditions: bales of straw for seats, a buffet table stacked with condiments and a crowd of friends in sweaters. If you think you can't improve on perfection... think again! You can make easy additions to your gatherings to keep it fun and fresh.

One of the most wonderful things about weenie roasts is the informality. All you need is a flame and a few seats. But that doesn't mean your party area can't be jazzed up. Use wooden crates or milk pails to organize drinks and other supplies. Line the area with pumpkins and gourds. Hang lights or streamers in nearby trees. Better yet, use strings of popcorn or cranberries. The birds and squirrels will gladly be on clean-up duty.

Some fashionable upgrades solve practical problems as well. Take the pricklies out of your seating by covering hay bales with blankets. Choose similar colors for a unified look, or mix and match funky patterns. Do you have luminarias, landscaping lights or strings of Christmas bulbs lying around? Use them to light a path to the house. They'll add fun to the space and provide safe passage to the restrooms as the sun sets.

Don't be afraid to break away from mustard and relish. Old standards are great, but a few exciting toppings will really wow your guests. Go Chicago style with chopped tomato and onion, dill and sweet relish, cucumber slices and hot peppers. How about sauerkraut, shredded cheese and diced sweet peppers? If your guests are the adventurous type, set out bowls and bottles of wasabi, pineapple tidbits, chutney or sweet and sour sauce. I really like steak sauce and barbecue sauce on mine. Who knows? Your ideas could become new favorites.

Many families offer more than plain hot dogs at their roasts. There are so many wonderful kinds of sausages that are even more delicious over a wood fire. You can also use new products to broaden your guest list. Kosher and halal franks can now be purchased in many grocery stores. Vegan friends will love roasting tofu dogs. I once had the opportunity to serve a Hindi friend who could not eat beef. My solution was a hot dog made of chicken. Not only were they appropriate for her dietary needs, they were so tasty I sneaked one myself.

Kids have such a great time at weenie roasts. I was thrilled to cook my own franks and top them just how I liked. And what could possibly be better than a fresh, warm s'more? Make the party even greater with a few tricks tailor-made for your underage crowd. If your roasting forks hold franks lengthwise, try this trick: Cut the children's hot dogs lengthwise into spears, only cutting about halfway down the frank. Skewer them on the uncut side. As they heat, the cut pieces will curl up like an octopus or spider! If s'mores are on the menu, stock several kinds of chocolate candy and let everyone choose something different: peanut butter cups, coconut bars, dark chocolate or crisp rice bars.

No one can resist a warm fire on a crisp autumn evening. I don't think bonfires will ever go out of style. But even classics can be reinvented. New foods and new decorations are a great start, but you can go even further. Start a potluck tradition. Rent a karaoke machine. Organize a game of flag football. Take cues from your friends and family, their hobbies and interests. Make fond new memories that your loved ones can cherish for years to come.

Sources: personal experience.