Memorial Day is right around the corner. As with many homeowners associations, the federal holiday is a great time to plan a community event that will help bring residents together. But, what are some fun HOA Memorial Day activities?
The Best HOA Memorial Day Activities to Organize This Year
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a federal holiday commemorating the United States military personnel who have died while serving in the armed forces. The holiday takes place on the last Monday of May every year. Many Americans spend Memorial Day visiting cemeteries and memorials to mourn the fallen. But, the holiday also signifies the unofficial start of the summer season, giving way to other forms of celebration usually involving the community.
Homeowners associations are no stranger to community-wide events. In fact, most HOAs include holiday events in their annual calendars as a way to give residents a chance to socialize and bond. And while common HOA events take place during more popular holidays such as Christmas or New Year’s, many celebrate Memorial Day, too.
Here are the top three HOA Memorial Day event ideas to plan for your community:
1. Plan a Pool Party
A pool party is perhaps the most popular HOA Memorial Day celebration. Since the federal holiday marks the unofficial start of summer in the country, many Americans deem it the perfect time to head to the pool.
Pool parties are great because they eliminate the need for a lot of games and activities. With a pool there, attendees can simply enjoy the cool water the entire time. Plus, at this time of the year, homeowners associations have only begun to open their outdoor pools again after a long cold season. As such, residents are likely excited to be able to use the community pool once more.
2. Throw a Classic Clubhouse Party
Not all HOA communities have indoor or outdoor pools. But, that doesn’t mean these HOAs should be left out of all the fun. Homeowners associations can still plan a fun holiday event even without a pool. A classic clubhouse party is sometimes enough to get the ball rolling.
To throw this kind of party, all you need is a clubhouse or any large open space like a ballroom or meeting room. Give the room a Memorial Day feel by decorating it with red, white, and blue motifs. Of course, no party would be complete without music. You don’t even need to hire a DJ for this. Just connect the speakers to a mobile device and open up a music streaming service. There are plenty of summer playlists to blast.
Next up, make sure to plan some fun activities to keep people entertained. Simple games are often enough to break the ice and get people socializing. And who says you need a pool for some outdoor water fun? Just fill up some balloons with water and let the kids have a water balloon fight outside. From there, all you need is food and beverages to round out the party.
3. Have a Barbecue & Picnic
As spring showers start to wane and the skies begin to clear, Memorial Day is the perfect time to have an outdoor barbecue and picnic. As with any other party, start by putting up some decorations. The right decor can help instill the right atmosphere. Every outdoor barbecue and picnic should also have some music playing.
Now, for the main part of the program — the food. Since it’s an outdoor barbecue and picnic, you will obviously need some grills and ingredients. If your HOA doesn’t have any grills, ask residents to bring their own. Examples of some classic dishes to serve include barbecued meats, hot dogs, burgers, corn on the cob, salads, sandwiches, deviled eggs, and coleslaw. Don’t forget the drinks, too!
Since you’re already outdoors, you can also have some fun with water by filling up an inflatable pool or having a water balloon fight. Any games involving water should make for a memorable time as well. Finally, close out your event with a breathtaking fireworks display.
What to Consider When Planning HOA Memorial Day Events
Organizing a holiday celebration for the entire community may sound easy on paper. But, there are a lot of moving parts and variables you need to consider. Here are all the things you should plan for when throwing an HOA Memorial Day event.
1. Time and Date
The first thing you need to set is the time and date. Memorial Day falls on the last Monday of May, but you don’t have to hold the event on the same day. You can throw the party the Saturday or Sunday before. Just make sure to pick out the schedule ahead of time so you can give yourself some room to advertise the event early.
2. Venue
Next, you need a venue. If your HOA community already has a pool, that would be the perfect place. But, if you don’t have a pool or would rather not have a pool party, any large space will do. You can choose to have the party indoors or outdoors, whichever works best. Keep in mind, though, that most people expect outdoor events for Memorial Day.
3. Food and Beverages
No homeowners association Memorial Day celebration should go without food and drinks. Every party should serve at least snacks and refreshments. Planning ahead is key here so that you can get an estimated headcount for food and beverages ahead of time. If there’s no room in the budget, ask residents to bring food to share in the style of a potluck.
4. Activities for All Ages
As previously said, you can typically get away with having no activities if you’re planning a pool party. But, for any other type of party, you will need something to keep people entertained. Games such as potato sack races, horseshoes, musical chairs, and scavenger hunts work well with the theme. You can also have some fun with water by organizing a water balloon fight or a run through sprinklers. If your celebration will last until nightfall, consider fireworks or simple sparklers.
5. Safety Protocols
Safety should be a top priority among homeowners associations, no matter the type of event. For pool parties, remember to implement strict no running, no jumping, and no horseplay rules. Adults should supervise their young ones at all times. The same goes for other kinds of outdoor parties. If you’re going to have barbecues, never leave grills unattended. Fireworks can also be a fire hazard, so make sure to hire a professional to set them off for you. If you can swing it, you may even want to invite your local law enforcement liaison to keep an eye on things.
Planning Ahead
HOA Memorial Day celebrations are a time to have fun and socialize while still commemorating the meaning of the holiday. But, you can only guarantee a successful event if you plan ahead of time. Give yourself enough space to work out the details. Announcing the event in advance will also give residents a chance to block out their calendars and increase the count of attendees.
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- HOA Holiday Events: Community Activities For Everyone To Enjoy
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