How to Throw a Backyard Pride Party
There are plenty of ways to celebrate Pride in June. You can attend a Pride parade, donate to LGBTQIA+ causes, or volunteer your time. Buying from LGBTQIA+ artists and creators and wearing Pride clothing are also ways to show your support.
If you love good food and great company, why not host your own celebration for family and friends? Throwing a Pride party is a great way to bring people together, connect with each other, and raise awareness at the same time.
Celebrate and honor this special time with your loved ones this summer. Your backyard will make the ideal venue for the festivities. You’ll have the freedom to decide what kind of activities to do and what kind of food to serve. Hosting at home also creates a casual yet intimate environment for guests. If you’re wondering where to begin when planning your backyard bash, we’ve got you covered. Read on for a handy guide on how to get started.
Invite Your Guests
You’ve got the venue and party theme down, so now it’s time to draw up the guest list. The size of your space will help determine how many friends and family members to invite. Once you’ve settled on a date and time, let them know about the party by sending out invites. Brightly colored invitations are a fun way to set the tone for your backyard bash.
Pop them in the mail or send them online via email or messenger. Don’t forget an RSVP request if you want to get an idea of how many people are planning to attend. You should also include info about the dress code and what to bring, if any.
Plan the Menus
Planning the food and drinks menus for a Pride party is a lot of fun. You can go all out with rainbow-themed eats and colorful cocktails. Finger foods are ideal for large gatherings in hot weather. Serve them in color groups to create a rainbow effect. You can also do a barbecue or make pizzas from scratch.
When it comes to drinks, decide on a signature cocktail or two to serve. This keeps costs down and makes hosting duties easier, as you won't have to worry about restocking the bar. For easy clean-up, cover a table with an unused bed sheet or a table cloth. Now you don’t have to worry about stains or spills.
Organize your Outdoor Space
Once you’ve got the menus down, organize your outdoor furniture in a way that gives you space to serve the food. You’ll also want to make room for your guests to sit. One big seating area works well for families.
To help guests get to know each other, set up a couple of smaller seating areas in the backyard. If you have a pool, put out a basket of beach towels for anyone who wants to swim. These small touches can go a long way in helping guests feel comfortable and relaxed.
Decorate to Theme
Set the mood for your backyard party by decorating your outdoor space. The rainbow is a classic theme for Pride, and there are plenty of creative ways to incorporate it. Set up the snack table with rainbow-colored supplies, for example, or hang up some Pride flags. You can also use balloons to create a rainbow arch.
Another fun idea is to set up a selfie station with props and accessories for guests to take photos with. For late afternoon and early evening parties, put out candles to create a calm and inviting environment. Using plants and greenery to decorate is another great way to elevate your backyard space.
Pick Your Party Activities
A couple of games or activities can help increase the fun at your Pride party and deepen the bonds between friends and family members. Lawn games, like ring toss or croquet, are ideal for large backdoor spaces. You can also set up throw pillows and throw blankets on the grass and screen a movie. For smaller spaces, bring out the board games or play a hand or two of cards. A karaoke machine will provide hours of fun for guests who love to sing. You can also create a Pride-worthy playlist for guests to break out their dancing moves.
Dress to Impress
Dressing up is a fun way to mark any Pride occasion. Encourage guests to go wild with their choice of attire or set a dress code for your backyard event. You can ask families or couples to wear different colors, for example, so that the entire party forms a rainbow. You can also rep the Pride rainbow on your clothing with pieces from Lands’ End. Our Pride collection includes everything from swimsuits and beach towels to t-shirts and tote bags.
No matter which décor, clothes, or activities you pick, throwing your own celebration will make Pride extra special. Follow these suggestions to help plan an event that you and your loved ones will enjoy.