How to Host the Ultimate Summer Party on Turf – Nashville Style!
If there’s anywhere in the US that knows how to throw a party, it’s Nashville! And with another of Music City’s long summers just around the corner, the increasing number of Nashvillians who’ve made the switch to synthetic grass will soon be welcoming family members and friends over to make the most of the sunnier days and longer nights. However, if you’re still mulling over how to get the best out of your investment, or you’re looking for a bit of flair with a Tennessean twist, then you’ve come to the right place…
Step 1: Establish What You’re Working With
Before we start getting into the nitty gritty, it’s worth pointing out that the type of party you host will obviously depend on the space you have available – and, indeed, what kind of property you live in. Turf’s versatility means you could be looking at a whole backyard, a patio or a common area at an apartment complex. If it’s the latter, we realize you might have to bear your neighbors in mind, so certain things mightn’t apply (unless they’re all coming to your party!) But clearly, the more space you can confidently call your own, the more you can do.
Generally, though, it’s a good idea to think about how you can devote certain parts of your turf to particular purposes. And because artificial turf should look and feel exactly the same in any two places, you should find that you have plenty of creative license. Consider having dedicated sections for people to chat, play and perhaps even dance, and if it’s a particularly sunny day (or you’re fearful of rain), try and incorporate umbrellas or tents for your guests to shelter from the elements if need be.
Step 2: Prep Your Turf
When it comes to entertaining, another of turf’s great selling points is the fact you could pretty much opt to host a party at a minute’s notice – such is the lack of maintenance required to keep it looking alluring! Nevertheless, it’d still be a decent idea to give your turf a quick hose down before you start welcoming people along – particularly if you’re looking to encourage a barefoot vibe.
Step 3: Keep It Country with Your Furnishings!
Now, this is where you can start getting creative! Since we’re looking at putting on a shindig with a distinct Nashville vibe, you could replace your usual garden furniture with haybales topped with appropriate cushions and blankets. There’ll no doubt be food on the go (as we’ll come back to shortly!) so when you put up your tables, make sure they’re adorned with a typical checkered cloth – probably the red and white variety would be the most fitting. You could also think about introducing one or two rugs; you mightn’t have a faux cowhide one to hand but you can pick one up for relatively cheap, and it’d certainly go a long way towards affirming the theme. The great thing here is that you don’t need to worry about anything getting dirty or muddy, with turf a far cleaner alternative to natural grass.
Step 4: Build Your Atmosphere
It wouldn’t be a true Nashville style summer party without a backdrop of constant country music! Precisely what sort and how loud it gets will depend on the atmosphere you’re looking to create, as well as the time of day. If you’re lucky with the weather and it’s all about embracing the sunshine, you can’t go wrong with the likes of Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney. For something upbeat whatever the climate, any sort of Nineties playlist featuring names such as Alan Jackson and Shania Twain will keep things lively throughout. For a more chilled vibe, lean more into the Americana theme, and if your party’s still going at night, there’s something very special about bluegrass under the stars. You might even be able to get something resembling a barn dance going! Regardless, we’d certainly encourage you to have a few instruments handy; sometimes, the best party is the one where things happen spontaneously!
Step 5: Bring Out the Southern Cuisine
As well as being Music City, Nashville is a food lover’s mecca. Hot chicken is obviously something it’s synonymous with, and while there are one or two iconic places across the city to buy it from, it’s certainly worth trying to put some together from scratch. A party-suitable version of a meat ‘n’ three would also cater to the Nashville theme very suitably, comprised of a single type of meat and three sorts of vegetables. Embrace a wider Southern concept by serving up some classic barbecue, while there’s always room for old favorites like mac ‘n’ cheese and cornbread.
And we obviously couldn’t let this section pass without mentioning one or two drink options, too! Sweet tea, preferably handed out in Mason jars, is usually an easy win, as is a good old-fashioned Tennessee whiskey for later in the day. There’s also a long list of local breweries to choose your beer from, too.
Step 6: Game Time!
After a big plate of hot chicken and a couple of drinks, it’s probably fair to say not everyone will fancy doing anything active, but it’s always nice to have one or two games ready to go – especially if you’re catering for a younger demographic, too. Cornhole is an obvious one, but turf’s comfortable nature underfoot lends itself to all sorts of possibilities. And if your turf project is still a work in progress, remember that you can incorporate dedicated gaming elements if space permits, from putting greens to bocce courts.
Step 7: Finishing Touches
With your space mapped out, your food and drinks ready to flow, your games set out and your music ready to play, you’re well on your way towards putting on the ultimate Nashville summer party! All that’s left are a few finishing touches, likely unique to you and the guests you have coming along. You could add further decorations in the shape of plants, flowers or string lights, or drive home the theme even more by laying out diffusers with a Southern aroma… as well as cowboy hats for everybody to wear!
Get Party-Ready with Goat Turf!
Whether you’re a native Nashvillian or a turf owner who’s simply looking to tap into the spirit of Music City this summer, we hope we’ve given you plenty of inspiration as party season draws near! However, if you’re still to make the switch to artificial turf but feel more enticed by its benefits than ever, why not reach out to us? We’d love to hear from you!