Summertime: the perfect time to chill by the pool and relax…not! It’s the time to throw a killer pool party. Here are some tips from Jesse Thompson, director of sales and marketing at pool-party hot spot Hotel Valley Ho, on how to throw the best pool party this summer.
Entertainment will set your pool party apart from all the others. Without some form of music the party will fall flat. While live music is always better, it’s rarely a budget-friendly option, Thompson says. If you can’t hire a live musician, try to hire a DJ so guests can interact with the party rather than just leaving an iPod on shuffle.
Thompson stressed food served at a pool party must be clean, light and absorbent – for those not-so-sober guests. Make sure you don’t serve food that will spoil in the sun or anything greasy. The best dishes to serve are salads and sandwiches, he says. You can also “challenge” your guests to bring something original to eat or drink – and even give prizes to the best, or most original, item.
“A theme is important but not imperative,” Thompson says. The problem with themes is that they have to be very broad – not everyone wants to attend a Hawaiian- or Batman-themed pool party, he says jokingly. Some of his suggested themes are Champagne/bubbles, fashion show or anything vodka-related.
Thompson shared three safety rules: stay hydrated, have a designated driver when leaving the party and have a designated person to watch the pool at all times. He even suggests hiring a lifeguard if you have more than 50 guests.
People are obviously going to swim at a pool party, but now is also the best time to pull out those ring-toss games and noodles that your children haven’t used in ages. You could also set up some games outside the pool to give guests something to do when they need a break from the pool.
Another helpful hint: While the summer is a great time to host a pool party, Thompson stressed that you should avoid throwing pool parties anywhere near a holiday since people are either traveling or spending time with family.
