Party in a Garage!

Dave and I have been mildly intrigued by the culture of Minnesotans to throw a party in their garage. It is the Thing to Do.

On any mild summer night, you can drive through a neighborhood and see several garages bustling with people at a party. Some garages have couches. Some have TVs. Others just have several lawn chairs around. It is not a phenomenon that only happens in our neighborhood. It is a Thing To Do. Maybe winter is so long and miserable, the garage is the perfect outdoor living room. Maybe people don't want to get their house dirty. Maybe it's just a good space.

Our neighbor threw her grandson's confirmation party in their garage.

Another neighbor routinely throws parties centered around sports games in his garage.

Graduation parties are a big deal up here. (meaning bakeries put out signs luring in customers for the perfect graduation cake. Delis advertise meat platters for grad parties. Attendance at museums and such is down in June because of grad parties, etc) Most families host one...and several are hosted out of garages.

Dave and I attended our first graduation party this past weekend. The hosts served up yummy taco salad, cokes, and graduation cake out of the garage. People chatted and ate in the backyard, the driveway, and the yard. But Dave and I ate in the garage. We had to. There were photos of the graduate posted on the walls telling the story of the girl from Kindergarten to senior high. All together a successful party, and we were probably the only ones who took a keen interest in the venue.













This garage party talk has sparked quite a few discussions at my workplace. Most co-workers who came from out-of-state think this is intriguing; native Minnesotans always ask, well, where did you have your graduation party?

I think.

A church fellowship hall.

Maybe that says something about where I grew up too.