We admit it, we love a good themed party (okay, we’re obsessed with them). Sometimes themes inspire parties and sometimes a theme enhances a party. So, what’s a better excuse to throw a themed party than one of the biggest world-wide events? Cheer on and cheers to America with a summer Olympics themed bash!
This year’s Best of York party will be Olympic themed. And, if you would rather come to an Olympic themed party than host one (or, do both), tickets are now available here for our party on Thursday, August 18 from 5:30-8:30 PM at PeoplesBank Park, presented by Susquehanna Style with Smith, Mayer & Liddle: a wealth advisory group at Janney.
Here’s how to throw an Olympic party that’s gold-medal worthy based off of our Best of York party:
1. Decorations
Decorations can really make or break a party. You want there to be enough decorations that people get the theme, but not so many decorations that your event screams “all of Party City was on sale.” An Olympic themed party could easily go from cool and classy to elementary classroom, so we are carefully selecting our decor.
For a color scheme, we decided to stick with red, white and blue with small hints of the other Olympic ring colors. Our party will be held at PeoplesBank Park which already has a lot of visual stimulation, so limiting the color selection simplifies and unifies the event.
Our main sources of decor will be simple: linens, white flowers and small tchotchkes (gold trophies, red/white/blue candle votives and confetti). This would work perfectly for a backyard bash, too!
2. Themed Attire
A good themed can carry through to attire but themed wardrobe can be tricky! One, you don’t want to make people feel uncomfortable or make them feel like they have to buy something new. Two, as the host - you don’t want to be the only one sporting the theme.
3 keys to selecting themed attire for your party:
1. Select an attire theme that is simple. Our Best of York party wardrobe is red, white and blue. Chances are, people already have something in one of those three colors, if not all three. This also allows people to come in what they are comfortable in - whether that be a sundress, jeans or business casual.
2. Give people incentive to wear themed attire! We will have a Most Spirited Contest where guests can vote on their favorite outfit of the night (and, it’s an anonymous ballot box so that it doesn’t make people feel uncomfortable and it doesn’t take up any time). And, Most Spirited will win a prize.
3. Provide something themed for people to wear. You wouldn’t host a Mardi Gras party without beads, right? For our Best of York party, guests will have the option of wearing a name tag that looks like a gold medal. That way, people who forgot the theme won’t feel left out and people who wore the theme will have a name tag that matches their outfit.
3. Games
What would an Olympic themed party be without games? Local businesses are going to bring lots of fun games to our party, plus - we’re going to have giant janga and oversize pong on the Diamond Deck, which would work perfectly for your backyard!
Giant janga:
Giant janga can be purchased online for around $100, but Style Guy Rick made his own giant janga for $22! Here’s how to make it:
1. Purchase about seven 2x4s (untreated). Make sure they are as straight as possible and free of splinters and knots (you can cut around some of them if needed).
2. Cut pieces in 10 1/2 –inch sections. You will need a total of 54 pieces (or more if you want).
3. Be sure to spend time sanding all sides and edges of each piece to make sure they will slide easily.
4. You can paint or stain the pieces or leave plain.
5. Using furniture paste wax be sure to wax and polish each block.
Oversized pong:
What you need: 12 trashcans or buckets and two sports balls/kid balls. If you choose trashcans rather than buckets, we would recommend also providing some sort of platform for people to stand on since they are taller.
Objection: Throw the ball into the bins
Set up:
1. Find a partner
2. Find another team to play against
3. Arrange the containers on both sides like a triangle (one container in the first row, two in the second row, three in the third row)
4. Determine which team will play first
5. Each team stands behind one set of bins facing the opposing team
How to play:
1. Each team takes a turn at attempting to throw both balls into the containers 2. If a ball makes it into a container, that container is removed Optional: If a ball does not make it into a container, take a sip of your cocktail 3. The first team to make all six shots and eliminate all six containers wins
4. Food & Drink
For your party, we think it would be awesome if everyone brought a different globally inspired dish! For our party, we are taking a more local approach (it is the Best of York party, after all), and we are going to have taste from around York County provided by this year’s blue ribbon winners. And, obviously, cocktails are in order. Our signature cocktail for the event will be a Red, White and Blue Rita.
5. Prizes
A competition inspired themed deserves a little competition and prizes! Other than the Most Spirited contest we will also have the #BestOfYork contest and a grand prize raffle. The person who post the most pics to Instagram using #BestOfYork during the party will win a prize. And, there will be one giant prize package featuring goodies from the 2016 Best of York winners that will be raffled off to benefit the Special Olympics of York.
If you’re hosting your own party, we know that it can get expensive! So, don’t feel like you have to purchase prizes. Choose prizes that have no actual cost, for example: winners of giant pong get the best seats for the first football game you host.
We wish everyone a happy Olympic season and hope to see you at our Best of York party on Thursday, August 18 from 5:30-8:30 PM at PeoplesBank Park, presented by Susquehanna Style with Smith, Mayer & Liddle: a wealth advisory group at Janney.
Tickets are now available here.
Cheers to the red, white & blue!
