🎓 How to Plan a Graduation Party in Allegheny County

A simple, stress-free guide for Pittsburgh-area families

Graduation season is a BIG deal in Allegheny County.

From South Hills high schools like Chartiers Valley, Mt. Lebanon, and Bethel Park, to colleges all around Pittsburgh, graduation parties are one of the most popular events of the year.

But planning a great graduation party can feel overwhelming:

• How much space do you need?

• How many tables and chairs should you get?

• What happens if it rains?

• When should you book rentals?

After helping dozens of local families celebrate their grads, we’ve put together an easy step-by-step guide to help you plan the perfect graduation party—without the stress.

Step 1: Pick the Right Date and Time

In Allegheny County, many schools hold graduations on the same weekends in late May and early June.

That means:

• Parties overlap

• Guests often attend multiple events

• Rental equipment books up FAST

Most families choose one of these timeframes:

• Open House Style: 1:00 – 5:00 pm

• Afternoon Party: 12:00 – 4:00 pm

• Evening Gathering: 4:00 – 8:00 pm

An open-house format works great because people can come and go throughout the day.

Step 2: Estimate Your Guest List

Before you reserve anything, start with a realistic headcount.

Think about:

• Family

• Friends

• Neighbors

• Teammates

• Teachers and coaches

For a typical South Hills graduation party, guest lists usually range from 40 to 120 people.

Once you have an estimate, you can plan rentals more confidently.

Step 3: Figure Out Tables and Chairs

This is where most people get stuck.

A good rule of thumb:

👉 Plan for chairs for about 80–90% of your guest list

Not everyone sits at the same time, especially at casual backyard graduation parties.

Common Setup Example

For a party of 60–70 guests:

• 6–8 tables

• 50–60 white folding chairs

• A couple extra tables for food and gifts

At Ken’s Party Rentals, we offer:

• 6 ft tables – great for food displays

• 8 ft tables – perfect for guest seating

• Clean white folding chairs

• Black and white linens for a polished look

We can help you design the perfect layout for your yard or venue.

Step 4: Plan for Pittsburgh Weather

If you’ve lived in Allegheny County for more than five minutes, you already know:

Weather here is unpredictable!

Sun, rain, heat, humidity—we can get it all in the same day.

That’s why we always recommend having a backup plan.

A simple solution: canopy tents

Our 10’x10’ canopy tents are perfect for:

• Covering food tables

• Creating shaded seating

• Protecting gift areas

• Keeping guests comfortable rain or shine

A few well-placed tents can completely save your party if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Step 5: Add Fun and Entertainment

Graduation parties aren’t just about food—they’re about celebrating!

Adding a few fun extras can make your event memorable.

Some great options include:

🌽 Corn Hole Sets

Perfect for:

• Backyard fun

• Guests of all ages

• Keeping kids and teens entertained

  
  

🎬 Outdoor Movie Screen & Projector

Turn your party into an evening celebration with:

• A graduation slideshow

• A favorite movie

• Highlight reels or senior year memories

It’s a huge hit at Allegheny County graduation parties!

Step 6: Don’t Forget the Small Details

Little things make a big difference:

• Extra trash cans

• Coolers for drinks

• A gift table

• Signs or decorations

• Enough parking for guests

And always order a few extra chairs—just in case!

Step 7: Book Early!

Graduation season is one of the busiest times of the year for party rentals in Pittsburgh and the South Hills.

If you wait until the last minute:

• Popular dates may be sold out

• Delivery slots fill up

• Equipment availability gets limited

Reserving early gives you peace of mind and one less thing to worry about.

Let Ken’s Party Rentals Help You Celebrate

At Ken’s Party Rentals, we specialize in helping Allegheny County families throw stress-free graduation parties.

We offer everything you need, including:

• 10’x10’ canopy tents

• 6 ft and 8 ft tables

• White folding chairs

• Black and white linens

• Corn hole sets

• Outdoor movie screen and projector setups

We proudly serve:

• Scott Township

• Mt. Lebanon

• Bethel Park

• Upper St. Clair

• Carnegie

• Bridgeville

• Greentree

• And all surrounding Pittsburgh communities

  
  

Ready to Start Planning?

If you need help figuring out exactly what to rent for your graduation party, we’re happy to help!

📞 Call or text: (412) 667-2329🌐 Visit: kenspartyrentals.com

Let us help you celebrate your graduate in style—without the stress.

Ken’s Party Rentals – Your party, our priority!