My neighbors told me 5 years ago that they made the best salsa. I was growing ingredients, so I suggested that we invite people over for an October party, and to enjoy the wood I stack to burn in the middle of my 3 acre north (horse) pasture.
We had a LOT of guests, and it's become an annual thing. A couple of years ago DD's made me a beautiful Pirate costume coat, so I always go as a Pirate, hence THIS year's theme. MY party, MY theme. =b
DD's have 15 years of costuming and Anime conventions under their belt, and we have a costume contest, too. DD made a small wooden chest into 1st prize. She covered the metal, sprayed it black and then sprayed Rustoleum purple glitter spray on top. Second prize was a mirror that we had gotten in a gauze bag. 3rd prize was a glowstick hatchet.
We always have chili, Sangria and Salsa, and they DO make the best salsa I've ever tasted. Everybody else brings some food, too, kinda like a potluck.
Because we want everyone to enjoy themselves, INCLUDING drinking alcohol, we decided at one point to offer sleeping over as part of the party. 8 people spent Saturday night and stayed for bacon and blueberry pancakes the next morning. 3rd year we switched the dates to Columbus Day weekend bc most of us still get that Monday off.
There, you have it! Next year it will be, "Salsa Party V: Paper Moon." It's our 5th anniversary, so it's paper, ya know.