Homeowners associations are known for planning social events for residents. These events can take place at any time, though holidays are often a popular choice. Here are some ideas for Labor Day HOA communities can try.
Fun Ways to Celebrate Labor Day HOA Communities
Social events are a great way to instill a sense of community in HOA residents. During these events, neighbors can mingle and get to know each other while breaking bread together. Some associations hold many events throughout the year, while others only choose select holidays or important dates to hold such events. Either way, if your HOA board wants to organize a social event this coming holiday, here are some fun HOA Labor Day activities to add to your list.
1. Have a Cookout
An HOA Labor Day cookout is perhaps one of the most popular social events during this time of the year. It’s a great way to get people together in one place and enjoy a delicious grilled meal or two.
To organize your own cookout, it’s important to first find a venue. Outdoor spaces are best, especially if you will be using an outdoor grill. Alternatively, residents can bring dishes to an indoor potluck. Make sure to plan this event ahead of time. This way, you have time to inform residents and get a ballpark figure of attendees.
Don’t forget the refreshments, too. As the weather can get pretty hot on Labor Day weekend, setting up a table of drinks is a must.
If the association has enough room in its budget, it can sponsor the food and drinks for the event. However, if you’re working with a limited budget, it’s ideal to go with the potluck idea instead.
2. Plan a Movie Night
Watching a movie is a bonding experience that resonates with people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Movies have a special way of fostering connections, so it makes sense to hold a movie night this Labor Day.
Better yet, get the kids to watch with you. Not only will the adults spend time together, but the kids will have a blast, too!
This is one of the more affordable social events you can plan. There are plenty of movies that you can watch this holiday. Some examples include:
- The Little Rascals
- Little Giants
- Evan Almighty
- Babe
- Charlotte’s Web
- Marvel superhero movies
- Oz: The Great and the Powerful
- The Shrek movies
- Frozen
- Kung-Fu Panda
- How to Train a Dragon
You can choose to watch only one or two films, but a movie marathon works just as well. Make sure you have a venue large enough to accommodate all attendees. Add some popcorn and soda on the side, and you’re good to go!
3. Throw a Themed Party
Having a party is another popular choice among homeowners associations. To take it one step further, why not throw in a theme?
The “Red, White, and Blue” theme is a good one to use. This is a fairly simple theme, too, as you can just decorate everything in red, white, and blue. You can also hold a “White Out” party where everyone wears white as a jab at the common notion of not wearing white after Labor Day. Other fun HOA Labor Day party ideas include nautical or tropical themes to fit the summer vibe.
4. Organize a Community-Wide Picnic
With such good weather, a picnic is a definite must. Gather all your residents in a large outdoor space (grass is preferred). Make sure to provide enough blankets for people or ask everyone to bring their own. Of course, no picnic can be complete without delicious food and refreshing drinks. If there are a lot of kids in your community, you also might want to organize a few games to get the social gears rolling.
5. Live Stream a Parade or Plan Your Own
Parades are a staple of Labor Day celebrations. Many cities and towns across the United States hold their own parades in commemoration of the meaning of the holiday.
A good number of these municipalities also live-stream their parades, particularly the larger ones. If there are no parades near your community, consider setting up your clubhouse with a large screen and an Internet connection. Residents can gather and watch a live stream of the parade together.
Alternatively, holding your own parade is also another way to celebrate Labor Day in HOA communities. Both children and adults can dress in patriotic colors and hold up meaningful banners in the spirit of the holiday.
6. Have Some Fun by the Pool
Since Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, it’s usually the last chance to have some water fun before the weather starts to get cold. Additionally, the end of summer means kids will be returning to school soon. Why not hold a pool party to close out the season with a bang?
When planning a pool party, though, make sure to also plan for safety. There will be a lot of people, including kids, hanging around in the same space. With a huge crowd, someone could get hurt without anyone noticing. If you do go with a pool party, consider hiring a lifeguard to stay on duty for at least the duration of the party.
7. Light Some Fireworks
Almost everyone loves fireworks. They beautifully illuminate the night sky and instill a sense of wonder in those watching them. If you don’t have the budget for a grand celebration, even just putting on a fireworks display will do.
When organizing a fireworks display, though, remember to leave it in the hands of a professional. Don’t try to light the fireworks yourself. Additionally, make sure to check that your state and local governments allow fireworks in the first place. If you can’t put on a display, handing out some sparklers at the end of Labor Day weekend can work just as well.
Have Some Labor Day HOA Fun!
As you can see, there are a number of ideas you can use to celebrate Labor Day weekend in your community. The trick is learning to know which one suits the character and demographics of your HOA. From there, make sure to plan ahead and enforce safety measures. This will allow you to hold a truly unforgettable Labor Day event.
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