How to Set Up a Cheap Party Tent

You can use a cheap party tent to cut costs when planning an outdoor event. Since the weather is often unpredictable, a party tent is also useful to provide shade on sunny days and keep your guests dry if it rains. Most cheap party tents are collapsible and feature a center pole, side poles and ropes. You can set up the tent on or before the day of the event with the setup tools and some help.

Instructions

1

Determine the location of the tent and ensure that the ground is level and the area is clear. Leave the tent in the bag and place it in the middle of the setup area.

2

Place the bag in a standing position with the open end of the bag facing upwards.

3

Untie the rope securing the bag and pull the bag halfway down the rolled tent inside. Turn the tent over so that it stands on the opposite end.

4

Pull the bag completely off the tent and untie the tent roll with the tent in the same position. Don't pull the rope out of the tent hole because it can tear a hole in the tent.

5

Unroll the tent, unfold the sections and stretch out all four sides of the tent to prepare it for setting the tent stakes.

6

Hammer the stakes into the ground. Set two stakes 2 feet to 5 feet apart from each corner of the tent, depending on the tent size.

7

Run a line using a string from one corner stake to the next and line up all stakes on the four sides of the tent using the string line as a guide. The tent stakes should be in line with the string line and the brass grommets at the border of the tent.

8

Put up a side pole to begin erecting the tent. Take the pole and insert the metal pin on the pole into the brass grommet hole in the tent.

9

Raise the pole and hold in place while your helper attaches the tent rope to the tent stake by knotting it around the stake.

10

Stand the pole on the second corner on the same end of the tent then complete the poles on the opposite corners until all four corners are erected. Insert any remaining poles around the perimeter of the tent, if necessary, leaving the ropes loose.

11

Erect the center pole by inserting the pin found on the end of the center pole through the brass grommet in the grommet at the middle of the tent.

12

Tie the long center pole rope to the center pole about 1 inch below the center pole pin. Erect the center pole by pushing it in an upright position until it is standing completely straight up.

13

Secure all the side pole ropes hanging down from the tent by tying them tightly to the nearby side pole.

14

Tighten the rope on each corner pole ensuring the pole is standing in a position that is 90 degrees in relation to each corner stake.

15

Complete the process by rechecking each stake to ensure they are securely fitted in the ground and the ropes are securely attached to the corresponding stakes, poles and tent grommets.