Plan a Beach BBQ Party

This summer, keep cool and have a great time with your friends and family by throwing a BBQ party at the beach. It's a great option for the 4th of July, or any time you feel like cutting loose and enjoying the sand & surf. You don't have to go overboard with themes, cheesy paper decorations and fancy menus to throw a memorable party - keep it simple with a few key items and some pre-planning.

The first thing you'll need to do is decide on a location. Scout out local beaches and find out what the rules are for alcoholic beverages, fire pits, glass bottles, sparklers and other items you might want to include in your party. Skip beaches that won't even allow coolers - what's a party without food & drinks? You also need to make sure the sandy beach area is wide enough for all your guests even at high tide. If you don't live near an ocean, look for picnic areas located off rivers and lakes.

If your perfect location doesn't have picnic tables or BBQ grills, bring your own. You can get picnic tables in portable models that fold up compact as small as a briefcase - or, you could just have everyone bring their own beach chairs, picnic blankets and towels. Portable grills with attached coolers & BBQ tools simplify the task of cooking up hot dogs, hamburgers and other beach party classics - check out the Vulcan Tailgater Grill and Cooler, pictured left. This trolley-style summer essential has a telescopic handle, gas grill, 3-pc BBQ set and a fully removable waterproof cooler section.

Depending on the size of your party, you may need an extra cooler. Styrofoam coolers are bulky, fragile and bad for the environment - get one that folds up into practically nothing when not in use, like the Big Dipper Collapsible Tub Cooler. You'll be able to use it for hundreds of other outings throughout the year.

To simplify meal planning, make it a potluck party. Ask guests to bring sides and desserts like potato salad, chips, brownies, mac & cheese and veggie platters. You'll need to gather up beverages, disposable plates, cups, utensils and napkins as well as condiments, buns, and meat to grill. Some beaches require that you bag your own trash and take it with you when you leave - check ahead of time.

Give your party a more festive feel with a fire pit, tiki torches and some holiday sparklers for the kids. Remember to bring a spark screen for the fire pit to keep guests from being showered with hot sparks by the ocean breeze. Stagger tiki torches randomly around the area, or plant them in the sand in a large circle. Decorative torches like the Good Directions Smooth Copper Torch lend a more elegant feel than standard bamboo torches.

Your party will need some extra ambiance in the form of music. Have a friend play guitar, hire a band or bring a portable radio that you can plug your iPod into. The Radio Cooler Chair combines three functions into one cool item, with an input jack for portable CD players or mp3 players.

For more great beach party supplies, head to PicnicFun.com.