Sam's Nifty Sixty: My Dad's Big Day

We gathered the whole family together to celebrate in my home town of Hood River, Oregon. I'd been looking forward to the big day for nearly a year; pinning, planning, and plotting! My inspiration for the event decor came from stories and pictures of growing up on the orchard in the 60s - with my own stylistic twist of course. I tried pulling together keepsakes and treasures from around the orchard, mixed with some simple hand made decorations to bring everything to life.

Guests were greeted with family pictures I reprinted using Social Print Studio, hung on twine with mini clothespins. In lieu of a guest book, I created a few different birthday mad libs. They were a lot of fun to read later on in the night and gave us all a big laugh! I found the most perfect rusted old table to use and styled it with vintage books and cameras. A thrifty metal lunch box served as storage for birthday cards. Potted greens and assorted garlands helped soften the vignette and give it a little whimsy. 

The old tractor played as backdrop to a lawn game sign made from wood scraps found on the property. 

Thankfully, I had a lot of cousins and aunties to help bake an assortment of delicious treats for the dessert bar. We placed the old family kitchen table in front of a window which overlooks the Columbia River and Mount Adams. A handmade ADVENTURE banner hung in the picture window. A perfect spot to admire the view and day dream.

A small buffet was the perfect spot for the mini birthday cake and a picture of my dad with his brothers when they were young. A family favorite, and award winning might I add! A bouquet of hand made yarn poms, vintage teddy, and my dad's "Be Prepared" Boy Scout patch continued the theme.

No Cody Family party would be complete without beer, wine, and spirits. A rusty wheelbarrow filled with ice kept bottles chilled and a burn barrel housed the keg. A vintage suitcase kept the spirits and mixers organized and garnishes filled mason jars allowing guests to create their own cocktails. 

Using assorted fabrics in fun prints and colors, I made a fringe garland paired with bright string lights which illuminated the covered patio where we staged the snack bar.

I used a couple six foot basic party tables on the lawn. I found a lot of inspiration for the tables at Lowes. Instead of traditional table cloths I nabbed these canvas drop cloths for only $10 bucks! They were the right color and great texture. Green painters paper made the perfect table runners. A huge roll was only $5. Plenty left over for other projects. I raided the clearance rack in the garden department for lush greens. Some were placed in metal tins I painted black, and the extras I wrapped in newspaper and twine.

For the photobooth I layered up pages from an old book. Props included chalk signs, flags, explorer tools, and nerdy glasses similar to the style my dad had when he was a boy. 

(Here's the Birthday Boy with my sister as I set up a shot)

(These cute kids)

(The Grandparents using a can phone)

Guests were invited to keep cozy with blankets by the fire as the day turned to night, and the cool Oregon air settled in. The Cody Orchards fruit stand (which you should definitely visit if you're ever in the area it's on the Fruit Loop!) provided some freshly picked Gala Apples to take home in brown paper lunch sacks printed with our logo. 

I was so happy with the outcome. So many family and friends really came together to help make it an amazing event. Of course when it was all over I just wanted to do it again!

I'm a sucker for vacation video postcards  so if you want to see some more of the party and fun cousin time around Portland you can watch it here: