Outdoor events can be fun, but risky. Nobody wants to be caught in the rain or be eaten alive by bugs. Luckily, the twenty-first century offers a plethora of innovations to make the great outdoors just as comfortable as the great indoors. Here are four must-have essentials to make sure your outdoor event goes off without a hitch.

Shelter

Summer is the best time for an outdoor party. Unfortunately, the weather can be unpredictable. You could be enjoying clear skies and warm sun one minute and retreating from a summer shower in the next. For an outdoor party, it's helpful to provide some sort of temporary shelter. A tent, awning, or collection of umbrellas are easy to set up and useful for ducking under in case it rains. In a daytime event, your guests will be grateful to have some shade where they can find reprieve from the blazing sun.

Temporary Fencing

When hosting a large outdoor event, temporary fencing can go a long way in managing crowd control. Having fenced areas will keep foot traffic flowing in the right direction, and it's an easy way to demarcate zones for different activities. If you have a backstage area with staff, you can also use temporary fencing to contain guests in the designated party area.

Outdoor Movie Screen

These days, an outdoor movie screen and projector setup is relatively easy to procure. Whether or not you opt to DIY or hire a specialized contractor to set it up, a large screen is a great way to add a visual statement to your event in just a single step. With a projector, you can screen movies for children, visual effects, slideshows, and more. An especially large screen can also be used for crowd management by providing a focal point in your event space.

Fire Pits

Fire pits literally radiate warmth, but they are more elegant than standing heaters. A scattering of portable fire pits with some chairs arranged around them makes an attractive place to lounge and have conversations. As an added benefit, you can pair them with a s'more-making station, which engages guests and takes care of dessert at the same time.

The key to planning a great event is to plan ahead. To be a good host, make sure to implement these ideas, expect the unexpected, and have a few backup plans in place.