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Vermont Castings™ Party On(line)

PAARTEE! Nothing spells party more than the sight of a blazing BBQ grill 'smoking' thick steaks, burgers, chicken, sausage, lobsters and corn on the cob. And no party sight is sweeter than a stainless steel Vermont Castings™ gas grill.

Pick from the 3-burner, 4-burner, or 5-burner Signature Series models, follow our Party On(line) tips and you'll have a party that will be unforgettable any day of the week and any time of the year.

If you really need an excuse for a bash, we've got it. Every month, there's a holiday or special day you can mark with a celebration around the Vermont Castings™ grill. And when there isn't an official holiday, there's a major sporting event. Still stuck? Birthdays, anniversaries, receptions, filling the pool for the first time … Party on, people.

Who to invite?

Family, friends, neighbors, co-workers …

• For a group of up to 10, invite people who will be compatible, and plan a menu to suit each person's likes.
• For larger groups, have a few bright lights who will keep the action going everywhere.
• Consider a written invitation if you want a polite way of excluding pets or setting ground rules.

Where to party?

This is a no-brainer. Wherever you have a Vermont Castings™ grill, you have Party Central. Big yard and deck? A 5-burner gas grill will serve the whole shebang. Balcony or terrace? How about a 3-burner grill?

Depending on your party site, here's some advice:

• Print labels for the doors of your house. There will be "No Go" areas, his and hers bathrooms and a designated room as a retreat for inclement weather or after the sun goes down.
• Clean the area thoroughly of dog droppings, glass, stones, splintered wood or spiny, thorny branches and rope off your roses.
• Remind swimmers to bring extra clothes and provide lots of towels for wet bodies and plastic bags for wet bathing suits.
• Stake out any public party area early and check to see if you need a party permit in a park, playground or beach.
• Consider invitations for large happenings or if you need to provide a map to the party, set ground rules, exclude pets or provide telephone and cell numbers - politely, of course.
• Limit the numbers of people you have on a terrace or balcony for safety reasons and for space, making it possible for guests to move easily from indoors to outdoors while sampling that superb fare from the BBQ.
• Be sure to invite neighbors if they might otherwise be disturbed by the hubbub and check with the landlord if you have one to make sure you're meeting the building's rules.
• Consider a potluck party where everyone brings his or her own cookables - suitable for grilling. And, on a Vermont Castings™ grill, that leaves a lot of room for imaginative recipes.

What will you serve?

Mmmmm! When it comes to grilling on a Vermont Castings™ BBQ, there's almost no limit to the menu. From succulent steaks to lobster, from burgers to hotdogs and from corn on the cob to Spanish omelettes, you can wow your guests with finger food or fabled feasts.

• Sitdown or standup? Let your guests know well ahead of time if your BBQ is buffet style or a sit-down affair so they'll know what to wear and when to show up.
• If you're going with the popular buffet style, offer sturdy paper plates and lots of napkins. And don't forget plastic knives, forks and spoons with responsible recycling of the waste instead of washing dishes all night.
• Do some research into the likes and dislikes of your guests. If you're having a large party, consider categories of food like red meats, poultry, seafood and vegetarian offerings. For smaller groups, plan something for each person if possible. And don't forget the kids' menu - smaller portions with less spice and little or no sugars. Ask parents with small tykes what the toddlers can consume.
• Follow the best BBQ recipes you can find; with professional help, you don't have to be a master chef to be the star of the party.

How should you party on?

You can hold a party just because you feel like it or you can build a party around a special event or day or theme. Almost any idea will work from a Knights of the Round Table setting to a celebration of Rover's discoveries on Mars. And every month offers dates on which to base your party, from the Super Bowl to Labor Day to an outside New Year's Eve.

• Invite your guests about 14 days before the party - time to get ready but not enough time to forget about it. And invite everyone at once and personally. If guests can bring dates, kids or even pets, note it in your invitation while politely noting, as well, any No Nos. If you issue a written invitation by mail, e-mail or fax, request an RSVP and call those who don't respond about one week before the affair.
• Write down everything you need to party on. Include utensils, cups, plates and bowls, condiments, chair, table and tent rentals, insect spray, party favors, assorted beverages, napkins, napkins, napkins, garbage bags, decorations, invitations, dips, dressings and desserts, enough bags of ice (and there's never enough), a first aid kit for falls, bumps and bee stings, and all that wonderful food. Now cut back to make it affordable. But don't touch the napkins or the ice.
• Include music in your party (of course) and put a few new CDs in your budget. But don't let the music take over; conversation - and laughter - is still the best party sound there is.

And, finally. Why are you holding a party?

If there's a Vermont Castings™ grill on the grounds, it's the Food, dudes, the Food, right up there with Family, Friends and Fun. So Party On, Folks. It's the tasty thing to do.