Students ready to grill up some summer fun

Get your grills fired up and invite all your friends; It’s barbecue season!

For Dixie State College students, summer is one of their favorite times of the year. One of the best ways to celebrate this is to host the perfect

gathering for friends and family.

Lindy Stephens, a sophomore math major from Ogden, said the menu is one of the most important things at a barbecue.

“I think it’s important to have large varieties of chips, especially Sun Chips,” Stephens said. “Also, pasta salad is a must.”

Amy Higbee, a junior general education major from Alamo, Nev., said she also likes to see salads but a different kind.

“My favorite is mixed greens with poppy seed dressing with strawberries and feta cheese,” she said. “I love it. Also Jell-O salad, the pink kind —strawberry or raspberry.”

Side dishes can’t steal the show though—it’s important to have delicious main dishes as well.

“Shishkabobs are the best—veggies, potatoes both chicken and steak for something unique,” Higbee said. “I went to a Bunco party with family and friends, and everyone seemed impressed with this for the main dish.”

Higbee said citrus chicken, or something else with a lemon or lime marinade, would be a good choice for a main dish instead of the usual hamburgers and hot dogs.

“Fruit is definitely a good accent,“ Higbee said. “It has a refreshing, clean taste it’s light and perfect for summer. Grilled pineapple or other grilled fruits are yummy to have.”

It’s important to refresh your guests with delicious drinks that are ice cold to help quench thirst and the heat. Higbee said she recommends lighter drinks with fruity tastes but not too sugary.

“I hate it when you go to a barbecue and all they have is soda,” Higbee said. ”If I’m going to be outside for any length of time I want something cold and refreshing but not too sweet. Lemonade or lemon water is a good summer kind of drink. Or slushies could be fun to have.”

Both Higbee and Stephens agreed that it’s important to be a good host or hostess. Running low on essential items can put a damper on the festivities.

“Never run out of ice or cups and plastic utensils and plates,” Higbee said. “Also drinks, since it gets really hot [in St. George]. It’s important to keep them stocked.”

Stephens said another way to be a good hostess is to make sure the area of the barbecue is nice and clean for guests.

“If people don’t have a nice yard it ruins it,” Stephens said. “And comfortable places to sit are always a good idea.”

Stephens also said it’s important to have fun activities to spread the fun in the party atmosphere.

“I don’t care if it’s something like a water fight or volleyball with water balloons,” Stephens said. “We need that in St. George since it gets so hot. If it’s summer and I’m outside, I’d better be getting wet.”

It’s important to cut out activities where your friends are just stuck sitting outside in the heat—anything like card or board games should be avoided for time outdoors.

“People need to be moving around so they’re not baking in the heat,” Higbee said. “Also, pool games are a fun way to act like a kid for the day. Chicken wars with guys and girls, water volleyball nets or a basketball hoop in the water are good ideas too.”