I'm not one who likes telling others what to do so I'll just give my ideas.Being a summertime, outdoors, event I tend to think of picnics and fresh fruit and vegetables. And meat cooked on a BBQ.
This is an all day event so we'll be needing food and drinks for the better part of the day. 2-3 meals with snacks and finger foods. With that in mind I'll list some of the things that seem to fit into this idea.
Meats- grilled chicken, buffalo wings, hamburgers and hot dogs, roast pork, deli platter
Fresh fruits and vegetables - watermelon, cantaloupes, honeydew melon, peaches, plums, grapes, corn on the cob, ham and string beans, lima beans, peas, potato salad, garden salad, fruit salad, vegetable platter.
drinks- fruit juices, soda, beer, mixed drinks
snacks and deserts- any and all sorts
Some have already offered to bring some of these things but we still need much more. Everyone has something special that they prefer. If you have a good dish and would like to share it with others then speak up. There's got to be something that you feel could be added to the short list I just posted that others would like.
This is a laid back time, not rushed like the restaurant meetings, and time goes by quickly. I'm amazed how quickly midnight approached when just kicking back and socializing. And food and drink make up a good part of this type of event. Whether soft or hard drinks, it's important that there be something to quench the thirst. And food to pick at before and after the main meals are equally important.
I don't expect everyone to stay all day, although everyone is invited to. Feel free to come and go whenever you please. But don't be surprised if you find that you've spent the better part of the day just hanging out around the pool.
Last year several members had to leave for a bit to go home and feed the animals but many came back for a few more hours. If it weren't for me having to work the following Sunday the party may have gone well into the next day. This isn't a problem this year as I'm off this Sunday. It's also why I'm opening the party earlier this year. 12 hours just didn't seem to be enough time.
"The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire." - Robert A. Heinlein
What a shame that we have the two major political parties that believe the former.