Event Planning Photos  »  Company Family Picnic: A SoCal Beach Bash

For one magical night, a park overlooking downtown Milwaukee was transformed into a scene from the iconic beach movies popular in the Sixties. Surfer dudes, beach blankets, and even a funky VW minibus set a vivid background for an international investment company’s family summer picnic. 

Underwood Events developed the theme, décor and menu, and then created the incredible Southern California-esque surroundings, bringing in custom-created furniture and design elements that turned the empty plot of land into an incredible summertime destination for employees and their families. 

Greeting guests were towering stacks of colorful inner tubes, which lit up when the sun when down. Food stations supplied guests with upscale but laid-back menu items straight out of a SoCal beach bash. Guests enjoyed gourmet hot dogs, al pastor and fish tacos, and veggie spring rolls. On the sweet side, there were dramatic Liquid Nitrogen Fried Caramel Popcorn Balls and homemade paletas, Mexican popsicles. Refreshing beverages were served from the rustic, four-sided, nautically themed bar and from the doors of a 1968 “flower-power” VW minibus. 

Children were treated to a gnarly face-painting station, balloon artistry created by members of the USA National Balloon Twisting team, and an outdoor theater complete with beach blankets, pillows and beachy movies like Finding Nemo.

Underwood Events staff circulated throughout the grounds, some on vintage Schwinn bicycles, serving guests throughout the spectacular event.