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Backyard Party Considerations
Size
matters when if comes to backyard parties. If you
are having more than 25 guests your costs and
considerations increase dramatically.
You may have a big backyard and think that’s all you
need. However, is the kitchen large enough to
facilitate your catering requirements? Is there
enough room to prepare the food quantities you’ve
planned for? Is it easy for guests to access the
food and beverage without creating bottle necks and
long line ups? You may need to set up a tent
kitchen outside. In addition to tents, there are a
lot of items you should consider renting like
chairs, table ware, and even portable toilets.
Especially if you are on septic, you will need a
portable toilet for every 50 guests. Otherwise
there could be some serious traffic jams and stress
on your in house system.
One of the most overlooked consideration is where
will everyone park? Parking laws are governed by
the Motor Vehicle Act and Municipal guidelines.
Unless someone is parked so that they are
obstructing traffic or are a hazard, it is not
illegal to park in front of someone else’s house.
It can however cause neighbourhood disputes. If
your neighbours are not invited, be pre-emptive and
let them know your plans. Give them your number so
they can call you instead of the police if they have
complaints. Arrange for parking at a local church
or school and set up a shuttle service in between.
If you do this, be very clear with directions on an
insert with your party invitation.
If you plan on having loud entertainment and music,
again, be considerate of your neighbours. Most
municipal noise laws are in effect as of 10:00 pm
week evenings and 11:00 pm weekend evenings.
According to the law, “It constitutes mischief if
you interrupt the lawful use and enjoyment of
property” and neighbours can call the police to
complain. Our young neighbours across the street
paid for a hotel stay for the folks living on either
side of them, but forgot to tell us that they were
having a rip roaring party. It was loud enough to
wake up our young children and rowdy enough to have
beer bottles land in our yard so we called the
police and their party ended abruptly. Although
theirs was not a party we’d want to go to, the best
defense is to invite your immediate neighbours so
they can enjoy the fun too or plan it for when they
are on vacation.
It’s great to have a good time with your friends,
but plan to cover all contingencies and be
considerate of your neighbourhood. |
