Five Things The Prospect Park Soiree Taught Us About Outdoor Entertaining

Every year the Prospect Park Alliance (PPA) throws an extravagant outdoor dinner party in the park, where guests are expected to bring their very best in table decor, festive attire, and mouthwatering eats. Situated in Prospect Park’s scenic Peninsula, the PPA provides the bare essentials for the fete: tables, chairs, and a live DJ for entertainment. The result is an eclectic array of beautifully-styled tablescapes, which comes with an unspoken competition of whose table will outshine the rest. This year, as the park gears up to celebrate its 150th anniversary, over 2,500 guests are expected to attend – meaning plenty of table envy to go around. At just $40 a ticket, all proceeds will go on to benefit Prospect Park Alliance’s mission to sustain and restore Prospect Park.

In anticipation for this year’s soiree on June 24th, we took a peek at the years past, to garner a little inspiration for our summer table settings. Take a look!

Tiers are encouraged

. A packed table calls for establishing layers in the form lengthy centerpieces. Here, a hand-carved sculpture doubles as a planter for vibrant greens and florals, imparting the table with a lively element.

Greens make the table

. Summer wouldn’t be the same sans an abundance of them. Even the smallest posy of florals will elevate the most modest of table settings. Be it a bodega bouquet or simply a cluster of flower fillers, utilize fresh florals to establish a dynamic texture to the table.

A cheeseboard is essential

. What’s a party without one? This clever group came fully prepped with all the basics: fruit for sweetness, nuts for added crunch, and cured meats for a savory note.

Mix and match centerpiece materials

. Here, fresh oranges provide the ideal color complement to the blush-toned roses, lending an elegant touch to the otherwise minimalist table.

Dessert does double duty

– especially when it’s as picture-perfect as this. For those who prefer things to be on the more understated side, skip the traditional centerpiece altogether and opt for an array of colorful desserts that’ll achieve the desired aesthetic. Here, mini red velvet cakes pack in a major pop of color.