The official kickoff to summer is upon us: Memorial Day weekend. And with the reverence it represents comes, in most cases, a long weekend, idyllic weather and an excuse to gather with friends and family. Whether you call it a BBQ, grill out, pot luck or block party, chances are you are gathering at some point over Memorial Day weekend to grill outside.

Here at Coldwell Banker we like to dream big. So we’ve created the ultimate backyard bash with a little help from one of our favorite inspiration sources, Pinterest. Read on for some fun backyard party ideas and choose from the best recipes and decorations to kick off summer in style.

Dream Memorial Day Backyard Party Settings:

BBQ pavilion with fully functioning kitchen and outdoor sports bar TV system
Outdoor cabana with fireplace, BBQ, full kitchen,TV, stereo and heaters
Outdoor living room with fireplace, pizza oven, built in BBQ station and dining area
Outdoor kitchen and living room
Outdoor dining room with fireplace and built-in BBQ

Memorial Day Backyard Party Food and Drink Recipes:

Basil lemonade
Pork and pineapple kabobs
Watermelon lemonade
Coca-Cola BBQ ribs

Memorial Day Backyard Party Décor:

Serve up utensils in Mason jars with bandanas
Create a red, white, and blue drink station
Use blue vases, red and white flowers and small flags for a simple DIY centerpiece
Line your walkway with American flags and decoupage Mason jars
Illuminate your yard with star-shaped lanterns