It’s sunny outside, kids aren’t in school, and the community is buzzing with energy. August presents the perfect opportunity for Homeowners Associations (HOAs) to organize engaging events that foster community spirit and bring neighbors together.
HOA events need to be relatively inexpensive, relying on local resources and volunteer efforts instead of association funds. Maybe one community member has a knack for organizing parties, or another loves to grill. The special talents of your residents are the backbone of great social events.
Here are some creative and fun HOA event ideas for August that can bring joy without breaking the bank.
- Bring-Your-Own-Barbecue
- Water Balloon Day
- Food Trucks
- Chili Cook-Off
- College Football Kickoff
- Final Thoughts
Bring-Your-Own-Barbecue
A Bring-Your-Own-Barbecue (BYOBBQ) is a fantastic way to celebrate the warm weather while bringing the community together. It’s budget-friendly and encourages neighborly interactions as everyone contributes to the feast.
Here’s how to pull it off:
1. Choose a venue
Select an open area in your community, such as a park, a large backyard, or the neighborhood clubhouse. Make sure it has enough space for multiple grills and plenty of seating.
2. Get the essentials
While residents will bring the hot dogs and burgers, the HOA can supply basics like napkins, plates, cups, and utensils. If you can avoid getting anything perishable, extras can be stored away for next summer.
3. Encourage participation
Ask attendees to bring their own meats, and grilling tools. Suggest each household prepare a side dish or a dessert to share, making it a sort of potluck.
4. Plan activities
Plan some simple games and activities to keep everyone (especially the children) entertained. A corn hole tournament, three-legged race, or pinata for the younger kids are great options. Make sure to have a music playlist ready for a lively, fun atmosphere.
5. Safety first
If there’s going to be multiple grills operating at the same time, make sure you have fire safety measures in place. Water buckets or fire extinguishers should be available, and there should be some simple guidelines for safe food handling in place.
If residents want to invite guests—grandparents are always welcome—your access control solution should be able to automatically grant visitor credentials to avoid long lineups at the gate.
Water Balloon Day
National Water Balloon Day, celebrated on the first Friday of every August, is the perfect occasion for a refreshing, fun-filled event for all ages. There’s no better way to beat the heat.
Here’s how to make it a hit:
1. Organize a Planning Committee
No one wants to be told what to do. Form a small committee of residents to plan and coordinate the event. This group can take ownership and help buy supplies, set up, and ensure everyone has a great time.
2. Clear the park
Water balloons aren’t great inside. Choose a spacious outdoor area like a park where participants can run around freely. Do a sweep of the area to make sure it’s safe and free from hazards—even sharp sticks that might poke a balloon!
3. Gather supplies
You’re going to need a lot of balloons, water hoses to fill them, and buckets to carry each team’s arsenal. Try to get biodegradable water balloons to be more environmentally friendly (and avoid a tedious cleanup).
4. Plan activities
Create a schedule of activities to fill the whole day and keep it organized. Here are some fun ideas:
- Water balloon toss: Pair up residents to toss a water balloon back and forth, taking a step back after each successful catch. The pair with the last intact balloon wins.
- Water balloon relay race: Set up a relay race where participants need to throw a balloon down the line without dropping or popping it.
- Water balloon fight: This is the big one. Designate an area for a free-for-all water balloon war, with clear boundaries and a way to mark participants (bibs, armbands, color coordinating).
There are lots of other ways you can have fun, but make sure you enforce some limitations as well. Remember the goal is for everyone to enjoy themselves, not just the most athletic residents.
5. Provide refreshments
Set up a station with cool drinks and snacks to keep everyone hydrated and energized. You could also have some shaded seating areas for participants to rest and get out of the heat.
Food Trucks
It’s amazing how food can bring a community together. Inviting food trucks into the neighborhood is a delicious way to celebrate the summer. It not only offers a variety of culinary delights, but also supports local businesses and creates a festive atmosphere.
Here’s how:
1. Reach out to local vendors
Research and contact local food trucks and see what their minimum requirements are. Some will be happy to arrive and charge each customer individually, while others will want a downpayment to leave their usual location.
Hot tip: If your area doesn’t have many food vendors, reach out to local restaurants to see if they have catering trucks.
2. Promote the event
Use your HOA newsletter, social media pages, and community bulletin boards to advertise the event. Highlight the variety of trucks that will be present to create excitement, and encourage residents to invite friends and family. More attendees will make it worthwhile for the vendors.
3. Set up seating
Not everyone wants to eat standing up. Arrange seating areas where residents can sit down and enjoy their meals. Provide picnic tables, benches, or even rent some temporary seating if necessary.
4. Plan some entertainment
Something as simple as a local band, DJ, or acoustic performer can create a lively atmosphere. For families, you could include activities like face painting or a bounce house.
5. Parking and traffic control
Plan for additional parking if necessary, and even consider arranging volunteers to manage traffic. License plate recognition software is a great way to monitor which vehicles are residents, visitors, or vendors and ensure the safety of the event.
Chili Cook-Off
A chili cook-off is a fantastic way to capitalize on your residents’ competitive spirit while indulging in some home cooking. It’s an event that will foster camaraderie and friendly rivalry among neighbors.
Here’s how to host an exhilarating cook-off:
1. Establish rules and prizes
Outline the rules of the competition, including:
- Number of entries per household
- Cooking method (pre-cooked or cooked on-site)
- Serving instructions
Winners can receive anything from simple trophies to grand prizes. Consider awarding multiple categories, like Best Overall, Spiciest, Most Unique, and People’s Choice.
2. Pick judges
Recruit a panel of judges to taste and rate the chili entries. Judges can be volunteers from the community or even local chefs or food critics for an added touch of prestige.
Establish clear criteria for judging, such as flavor, texture, appearance, or originality (but remember this is for fun!)
3. Create a festive atmosphere
Enhance the competitive vibe with themed decorations, music, or even chili-related trivia games. Hire (or recruit) a photographer with fun props for participants to capture their moments of glory.
4. Engage the audience
While the judged deliberate, keep the audience entertained with side activities. Consider a chili-eating contest, a jalapeno pepper challenge, or a hot sauce showcase. Set up a beverage station with cold drinks to complement the spicy dishes.
5. Announce the winners
After the tasting and judging, gather everyone for the award ceremony. Present them with ribbons, trophies, or gift cards from local businesses (maybe the restaurant of one of your judges). Remember to capture all of this for your community website, HOA newsletter, or social media page.
College Football Kickoff
The start of the college football season is a much-anticipated event for sports fans. It can also be an exciting occasion for your community to come together.
Here’s how to plan a memorable college football kickoff weekend:
1. Set up viewing areas
Rent or borrow large screens and projectors to broadcast the games. Ensure there are enough seats for residents to sit and enjoy the games comfortably. Arrange the seating to create a stadium-like atmosphere.
2. Decorate in team colors
If there’s a local team playing or a certain school that your residents love, decorate the venue with team colors, banners, and flags. Encourage attendees to wear their team jerseys to showcase their school spirit.
3. Tailgate
Create a tailgate experience by offering classic foods like hot dogs, burgers, chips, dips, and popcorn. Set up grills (or invite one of those food trucks back), and provide a range of non-alcoholic beverages. It’s best to include a BYOB policy for adults.
4. Friendly competitions
Organize pre-game and halftime competitions, such as touchdown dances, football toss contests, or a mini flag football game. Prizes can be team merchandise or gift cards.
5. Remember the non-sports fans
Designate areas for mingling and socializing, ensuring those who aren’t avid football fans can still enjoy the event. Consider having a quieter area with board or card games for those who need a break from the action.
Final Thoughts
August is the perfect month for HOAs to host a variety of engaging and memorable events that help build a sense of community. From balloon toss to college kickoff, there’s something for everyone.
When planning these HOA event ideas, remember that the details make a big difference. Efficient visitor management helps everyone enjoy the day, feel safe, and have fun.
Here’s to a fantastic August!