Sunday's Food Tip: Ideas to "Get the Party Started"

A great birthday party is more than just good food and exciting presents. If you’re planning a child’s birthday party, perhaps a clown or a pony will do for the entertainment.



But, when planning a special birthday party for an adult, sometimes it takes a bit more….well, a LOT more, to entertain your guests.

Last night, family and friends were invited to my brother’s 50th birthday party north of the river in Parkville, Missouri.

It was a clear, cool night, and just to get the party started, my brother’s wife booked a band.

But not just any band.

Nope. My sister-in-law booked the world famous Kansas City Marching Cobras.

Now, if you don’t live in or around Kansas City, maybe you’ve never heard of the Kansas City Marching Cobras. This is a group of 150 elementary, junior and senior high school students from all over the greater Kansas City area.



The world famous Kansas City Marching Cobras don’t exactly play your typical John Phillip Sousa marching band fare either.

Nope. With them it’s all drums and dance.



These kids ROCK!



The Kansas City Marching Cobras is not just a marching band and not just a drill team. The world famous Kansas City Marching Cobras is a performing unit.

The band had everyone in Parkville literally dancing in the streets last night (well, once my SIL clued in the police as to why people in plumed hats and fringed costumes with snare drums and base drums were getting off a bus after dark in Parkville – it’s usually a pretty quiet town).

Find out more about the exciting Kansas City Marching Cobras here.

And when you want great food for a special birthday party, don’t spend hours in the kitchen preparing it yourself. You’ll be too tired to enjoy the party.

Nope. Take a tip from my sister-in-law instead. Have the food catered.

And, if you live in Kansas City, try the River Rock Coffee Co. (also in Parkville) for the best catering service around.



Last night’s guests were presented with a tempting array of finger foods – everything from mini-mushroom quiches and delicate aspargus tips wrapped in pastry to perfectly iced brownie squares and a birthday cake decorated with black lettering.



After the rousing performance by the Kansas City Marching Cobras, guests wandered back into the house and were treated to the more soothing classical guitar music of my brother and another guitarist. Then, a husband and wife team played and sang a unique blend of country and folk music for everyone's enjoyment.

It was truly a splendid evening.

So, next time you’re planning a special party, try to come up with your own exciting and different ways to "get the party started."