Instructions on How to Set Up an Outside Party Tent

An outside party tent can make or break a soiree. Striped canvas tents are for fun events and kid's parties, while a white tent looks good at a traditional wedding reception party. Tents are available with walls in case it gets a little windy. Provide welcome shade for outdoor alfresco dining and socializing by taking the time to set up a canopy party tent. Don't let your party be ruined by rain or the hot sun beating down mercilessly on guests, with the potential to ruin food or spoil drinks. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Instructions

1

Select the flattest area you can find to set up your outdoor party tent. Set up the tent on level ground for better stability. Take the tent out of its bags. Unfold it or roll it out with the canopy side up. Spread the tent out to remove wrinkles and folds. Lay out all the poles and stakes.

2

Pound the stakes into the ground with a one or two pound hammer. Angle the stakes outward from the tent. Place them two yards from the edge of the tent. Line up the stakes with the tent's attached corner and edge ropes. Loop and secure the ropes around the stakes. Use two ropes and two stakes for each corner. Use single stakes and ropes around the edges.

3

Assemble your poles. The longest two-piece ones are the center poles. The intermediate poles go around the edges. Put the poles into the grommets at the four corners of the tent. Center the corner pole between the two stakes. Stand up the tent at the corners first. Stretch out and pull the tent tight using the nylon tighteners built into the ropes. Tighten the ropes until they are taut, with no drooping edges.

4

Take precautions against high winds when setting up your tent. Attach heavy anchor weights to the ropes if there is any danger of wind. Attach the center pole rope, known as the blow-over line, around the main center pole. Make a loop in the line. Hold it next to the poles. Wrap around the excess rope around the loop and pole. Tie it in a knot to keep the pole attached to the tent in case it is lifted off the ground by a gust of wind.

5

Finish off setting up your party tent by carpeting it or putting a dance floor on one end. Arrange the tables and chairs under the tent. Decorate the tent by using decor appropriate to the occasion. Install electric lights in the tent or hang decorative festive lanterns along the edges.