Boardwalk/Carnival Style Party

I had my big summer party last weekend with a Boardwalk Theme. This was an adult party, so I had no need for carnival style games. Although, there would be some really fun and simple games for kids that would be great with this theme.

I had everything under control until it rained for three hours before the party, stopping just 15 minutes before party time. So setting up ahead of time and taking great pictures just wasn't going to happen. I quickly ran out and dried everything off and was still setting up as the guest were arriving. At least the rain stayed away for the rest of the evening and everyone had a great time.

My decorations were for the most part really inexpensive. Many items came from the dollar store. With a Boardwalk/Carnival style theme items were easy to find. My colors were bright yellow, red and blue.

I served many foods that you would find on the Boardwalk. Hot dogs, hot pretzel bites, BBQ ribs, popcorn, fruit kabobs, plus many other foods. I wanted to serve cheese fries and funnel cakes, but didn't have time to make them. Many of my friends brought wonderful appetizers.

I made these cupcake toppers from foam stars from the craft store. These stars had an adhesive back and inserted a toothpick in the back between the foam and the peel off backing. They were so simple to make.

I wanted to recreate the striped awnings you see at all the board walk food stands. I added these red stripes to my umbrella using wide ribbon and made this fun "Drinks" sign to go on top. Salt Water Taffy was a must...served in red checked bowls and red and yellow scrapbook paper was added to all the candle holders.

Setting the mood with lighting was easy. I love these round bulb lights you often find at outdoor restaurants. They also remind me of the lights you see On The Boardwalk. The lights came from Target and these bright yellow lanterns fit right in with the color scheme!

My centerpieces were easy to make. I bought these tall popcorn containers, taped the balloons to the bottom...added a few decorative stones for weight...stuffed in plastic store bags to take up room...then topped with popcorn. I placed these on tables around the yard including the food table.

I found these red tin buckets at Target to use for my plasticware and these picnic catchup and mustard bottles at the dollar store.

Velcro dots secured the stripes to the the umbrella. They held it pretty well...tape just wasn't doing it. I rounded the edge of the ribbon and let it hang off the umbrella a couple of inches.

My drink in the beverage container was lemonade and blueberry vodka. A delicious summer drink that I garnish with a slice of lemon and blueberries. I mix it to taste, but I would say a good mix would be 1 1/2 oz blueberry vodka to 6 oz of lemonade.

I made signs for the different foods I was serving. I printed them on yellow card stalk that I cut into a nice shape. Then punched holes in the top and bottom and inserted a skewer through...cut lemons in half and stuck the skewer in the lemon as a stand.

I used these large square popcorn containers for different kinds of chips and also to hold these fruit kabobs. I secured them by cutting the ends off the watermelon, placing them in the bottom of the container then inserting the kabobs into the watermelon ends.