Here in the Midwest, nothing says summer like backyard parties, picnics, festivals, and other neighborhood gatherings! Local events in Kansas City and St. Louis are the perfect way to embrace the sunshine and excitement of vacation right in your own community. Whether you’re planning a church picnic, a community event, or a party in your own backyard (or front yard!), here are some must-know tips for the sunniest of summer events.
Cool Off in Style
Summer days can get pretty hot in our corner of the Midwest, so it’s important to make sure everyone is comfortable in the heat! Incorporating fun ways to cool off will make sure everyone is refreshed and enjoying themselves. Here are a few quick tips for keeping it chill on the hottest of days:
- Provide shade: We’re not throwing any shade, but most people won’t want to stand in the sun for too long — especially in an asphalt parking lot where you’re hosting a church picnic! Keep everyone comfortable by covering the activities and food zones of your event with large tents.
- Have a hydration station: Staying hydrated is key in a tropical heat wave! Give your guests plenty of opportunities to hydrate, like bottled water and tasty drinks. Want to add a fun twist? Add Shaved Ice to your hydration zone for a cool, refreshing treat!
- Dive into water-based fun: The best activities on a hot summer day are those that involve water, and everyone will love changing into swimsuits to slip n’ slide down our Pool Time Wet-N-Dry Slide! If you’re having a larger event, here are a few other water attraction options.
Activities for Every Age
Community events attract attendees of various ages and life stages. You’ve got the young kids running underfoot, the parents trying to keep up, the teens exploring their independence, and the childless adults looking for something fun to do on a lazy Saturday. To make sure your event includes fun for everyone, plan your activities accordingly!
Younger children will enjoy anything that keeps them moving, but parents will appreciate activities that keep their children contained and close by. Think bounce houses and crawl-through inflatables. Teens and couples may be on the lookout for something more along the lines of carnival activities and competitive games. Offer a mix of things to do for different ages and skill levels!
Good Eats
What community event is complete without yummy food? It’s even in the name for church picnics and backyard barbeques. Along with those refreshing drinks and shaved ice, give guests something a bit more sustaining to keep them engaged longer, like delicious popcorn, hot dogs, or nachos!
There’s Something About a Theme
Don’t just call your event something boring like “Kansas City Community Event” — give it a theme that will jazz it up and grab people’s interest! When your event has a theme, it makes choosing activities and party rentals easier, too, since you can use those to really drive the theme home. Here are a few ideas to add a fun twist to your local carnival or backyard party:
- Fun in the Sun: Summertime is a fantastic theme, and our new Pool Time Wet-N-Dry Slide is perfect for all kinds of summer-themed events!
- A Day at the Farm: Borrow some farm animals from Ol’ MacDonald for a petting zoo — OR book our Cow Belly Combo and Heavy Haulin’ slide for a farm-inspired celebration! Perfect for summer county fairs!
- Patriotic Holidays: Memorial Day and Independence Day are both wonderful days to celebrate, and we have two brand new patriotic rentals to celebrate our nation in style: The American Ultimate Combo and the American Maze.
- Christmas in July: Start the Christmas countdown early with a one-day festive celebration. You can even invite the Clauses or the Grinch to attend, and don’t forget a North Pole-style selfie booth!
Whether the Weather Cooperates…
Unfortunately, we don’t control the weather, and it can be unpredictable! Especially in Kansas City and St. Louis, there’s always a chance of thunderstorms or tornadoes tearing up your plans, and even the heat can be too unbearable for outdoor activities at times. Always have a backup plan, like a date change or an indoor venue alternative, so no one is disappointed!
Pro Tip: Our wet/dry slides are perfect for pivoting on a dime! If you’ve booked it to be set up as a wet slide on a hot day and end up moving inside, we can change plans quickly and make it dry. If you wanted a dry slide but it’s too hot to be safe, we can set it up wet instead. It’s a win-win!
Get Ready for Summer with Fun Services Midwest
When it’s summertime, the livin’ is easy with Fun Services by your side! We have everything you need to ensure your church picnic, backyard birthday bash, or community-wide celebration is fun and summer-proof. Contact us to book your rentals and reserve the date of your event!