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Upgrade Your Backyard Bash with This Portland-Perfect Stuff

Giant party games and wood-burning chimineas help get the party started.

By Catherine Johnson June 19, 2018 Published in the July 2018 issue of Portland Monthly

Warm

Move over, fire pit (and say goodbye to smoke in your eyes), with a rustic terra-cotta outdoor chimney. Ranging from six-inch decorative warmers to five-foot-tall wood-burning ragers, all festooned with a variety of Southwesterny patterns, these Mexican chimineas will keep the party cozy long after the sun has said goodnight. $149–360 (for wood-burning chimineas) at Little Baja

Protect

Hand-poured in small batches right here in PDX, Bridge Nine Lime Citronella candles put a zesty-fresh spin on the grassy-scented first line of defense against summer’s humming vampires. Not only will they help keep you toxin- and bug-bite-free for 50 hours, but they’re nestled in a reusable amber-hued Ball jar—perf for camping, too. $24 at MadeHere PDX

Play

How do you keep your Uncle Ted, tutu-sporting niece, and recently acquired Tinder flame all entertained at the family reunion? Rent giant party games from Portland’s Recreation Department. From classic cornhole to a humongous Connect Four board, these locally built lawn sets keep your fam focused on the competition ... instead of certain questions. (“So, how did you two meet again?”) $60–80, rec-dept.com

Glow

Portlanders love dangling twinkle lights just about as much as they love the ubiquitous beer gardens they adorn. Spice up your typical outdoor ornamentation with jaunty fishing-float lights featuring vintage-inspired glass light covers—perfect for lending a romantic, sudsy glow to your next backyard bash. $12.99 at Orchard Supply Hardware

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