As the summer season starts to wind down, the team at DeckTec is proud to say that we’ve been responsible for building 65 new decks in the Denver metropolitan area this year. For those who are new clients, welcome to the DeckTec family.

Meanwhile, whether yours is a new or well-used deck, isn’t it time to celebrate with a barbeque on your deck? Gather friends and neighbors, colleagues or family and have a wonderful time together. We talked to some entertainment experts in the area to help you get started with these great tips:

Invitations

Looking for a way to get the buzz going about your party? Why not start with a creative invitation? Chris Gravely, a manager at our local Michael’s arts and crafts store had lots of ideas. He said you could do something as simple as an email blast or an Internet invitation, but if you want that personal touch there are lots of ways to make a great invitation for friends.

“There are so many options,” said Chris, “that you can make any type of invitation–from barbeque to wedding—right from home. It will look good and in the long run, you’ll save money. You’re limited only by what you can think of.”

For a barbeque, Chris suggested sending invitations in a homemade envelope, created from a 12″ X 12″ scrapbook paper that has a wood grain design.

“If your invitation is printed on a bandana, you could get people to wear them to your party as a way of saying ‘See? I was invited,'” said Chris.

He also suggested using red or yellow paint pens to replicate the look and feel of ketchup and mustard on gingham napkins.

Music

And what party is an exciting event without music? For many of us, music at an outdoor party was difficult growing up. Someone would haul out an acoustic guitar and we’d sing along. But if your tastes run to the more modern, there is plenty of selection in the world of outdoor speakers these days.

We’Am Mohamed of Best Buy was happy to show us a few of his favorite speaker systems.

“Definitive Tech speakers have a five-year warranty,” said We’Am. “They’re weather proof and have a high quality sound.” He pointed out that these speakers need an amplifier system and access to an electric socket, but if those are available, these are very good speakers.

If your barbeque is away from the house, or your deck doesn’t have outdoor electrical access, no need to worry. We’Am showed us two other terrific options.

“The UE Boom has a 15-hour battery life,” said We’Am. “And do you see that cylindrical shape? It will disperse sound all around. When you’re inside you have walls to bounce around the sound, but outside, that round shaped speaker helps.”

Even though the UE Boom is a great speaker, We’Am’s favorite is the Melody Portable with blue tooth connection by Soundcast. An investment at nearly $500, this is the speaker with the most beautiful sound, a nice, wide cone that evens out the music you listen to for 360 degrees around its base.

And if you’re not used to throwing a party, We’Am suggested making a playlist of about 100 songs with a focus on music from the 1980’s but throwing in a few current top 40 songs.

“The stuff from the ’80s is not too bold, and has good lyrics almost anyone can enjoy,” said We’Am.

The Food

And speaking of enjoyment, what barbeque would be complete without some great grilled food?

Matthew “Flounder” Younkin of Whole Foods is a four-time winner of the Denver County Fair’s Smoked and Cured Meat contest. He is a master of cooking, even going so far as making his own bacon in a seven-day process of curing and smoking the meat.

“One of the things I like to do best for a barbeque,” said Flounder, “is to offer up Mexican Street Tacos. It’s kind of casual, and I find that people are more comfortable when they can dish up their own meals. Plus, this is easily attainable for every budget.” Start with some corn tortillas and add any of these grilled meats:

• Chicken (“I prefer the boneless, skinless chicken thigh,” said Flounder)
• Pork (tenderloin is easy and forgiving, if a little more expensive)
• Beef (with tacos you can chop up a less expensive grade of meat and still have a great dish)
• Fish (yes, even fish. “I recommend the Paiche, a South American river fish, high in collagen, so it crisps up nicely and cooks well,” he said.)

To grill these meats, Flounder recommends a simple rub of salt, pepper, and Mexican oregano.

With the meat you can add some sides of cabbage, pineapple, fresh cilantro, onions, perhaps some radishes and a variety of salsas. This will make a mouth-watering main dish you’re your company will enjoy.

Flounder also recommends serving the tacos with some nice cold Mexican beer to top off a successful meal.

So what are you waiting for? Summer is still strong, and your grill is calling. Have a wonderful, feast-filled weekend.