How do I create a temporary shade for an outdoor event?

Jeri Jo Ashley
by Jeri Jo Ashley

Our small town park has a bandstand with a concrete pad in front of it, 100'x40' that's used mostly for basketball. We have entertainment coming to town and would like to have some protection from the sun, something like a sun shade sail? We have the bandstand with a roof to attach to at the front, at the far end there are the basketball hoops, and there are trees. We don't have a lot of money to spend.

  11 answers
  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Aug 25, 2018

    Maybe some awnings

  • Kelly-n-Tony Kelly-n-Tony on Aug 25, 2018

    Sun shades aren't really big enough I think. How about renting or borrowing a large event tent? Or bright colored umbrellas in stands ?

  • Louise Louise on Aug 25, 2018

    Rent party tents.

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Aug 25, 2018

    I would sew several dropcloths together twice the length of each side (and cut the height of the overhang (it would be longer in the front, tapering to shorter in the back), and attach it to Velcro strips that are sticky on both sides. Attach one piece of Velcro to the overhang and the other on the dropcloth "curtains". You can now put up the curtains and take them down as needed.

  • William William on Aug 26, 2018

    How about a few sun shades in different colors. Would look great.

  • Hi Jeri - We were at an event earlier in the summer and basically asked some of the participants to come early and bring their shade tents. It was like a shade tent parade and kept everyone cool from the sun, and dry from the rain when it came later. Many hands make light work! Hugs, Holly

  • Jeri Jo Ashley Jeri Jo Ashley on Aug 26, 2018

    i joined HomeTalk just about a month ago, it is wonderful. This was my first question, thank you for all the great ideas!

    • 17335038 17335038 on Dec 21, 2018

      You're welcome! Remember that there is no minimum number of questions that any Hometalker needs to ask, or answer.

      'Wishing you a Happy Christmas.

  • Huntress Huntress on Dec 21, 2018

    Tarps would be the most inexpensive. If you need to attach on the opposite side , find some buckets, tall is better, fill with cement, stick 2 x 4's in, let dry and voila, poles to attach to. Cheapest way I have found.

  • Dee Dee on Dec 21, 2018

    REnt some tents or put curtains around the patio area. You can make these with drop cloths.

  • Blessedpiu Blessedpiu on Jun 27, 2023

    If budget is a concern, you might want to consider looking for affordable options online or in local stores. Sometimes you can find good deals on sun shade sails, especially during sales or clearance events. Remember, even if you can't create shade for the entire area, providing some shaded spots around the perimeter can still make a difference.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 01, 2023

    11 Ways to Create Shade for the Deck or Patio

    https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/ways-to-create-patio-shade/