7 Things to Rent for a Backyard Graduation Party in Central Wisconsin

Graduation parties in Central Wisconsin are often backyard, open-house style events. That makes them casual and flexible, but it also means you need to plan for changing weather, steady guest turnover, food service, seating, shade, and a layout that keeps people comfortable.

A good rental setup does not need to be complicated. For most families, the core pieces are simple: a tent, tables, chairs, lighting, linens, a drink station, and sidewalls or weather protection. Graduation party planning guides commonly recommend accounting for rentals like tents, tables, and chairs early in the process, especially for backyard events where the home itself may not comfortably handle the full guest count.

At Badger Event Rentals, we offer graduation party bundles designed to make this easier for families in Wausau, Rib Mountain, Stevens Point, Marshfield, Minocqua, and surrounding Central Wisconsin communities.

1. A Tent for Shade, Rain Protection, and a Defined Party Space

A tent is usually the most important rental for a backyard graduation party. It gives guests a clear place to gather, protects food and tables from sun or light rain, and helps the party feel more organized.

Wisconsin summer weather can shift quickly, so outdoor events should have some type of weather plan. Event planners and Wisconsin tent rental sources regularly stress the importance of planning for rain, heat, wind, and a backup shelter option when hosting outdoors.

For graduation parties, the right tent size depends on your guest count, food setup, yard space, and whether guests will be seated all at once or coming and going during an open house.

Badger Event Rentals offers graduation party bundles in these common sizes:

• 20' x 20' graduation party bundle — accommodates about 30 guests

• 20' x 40' graduation party bundle — accommodates about 60 guests

• 30' x 30' graduation party bundle — accommodates about 80 guests

These bundles are built for real backyard hosting, not just a bare tent drop-off.

2. Tables for Eating, Gifts, Photos, and Food Service

Tables are not just for seating. Most graduation parties need several table types: guest tables, food tables, dessert tables, gift tables, memory/photo tables, and sometimes a welcome or card table.

A common mistake is only counting tables for guests. The food and display areas usually take more space than people expect. Graduation party planning resources often recommend thinking through the party layout ahead of time, including food stations, gift areas, photos, and guest flow.

A simple backyard layout usually works best when food is placed near the edge of the tent or under a separate covered area, guest seating is kept open, and the gift or photo table is placed where people naturally enter the party.

3. Chairs So Guests Aren’t Balancing Plates in the Yard

Even open-house graduation parties need enough chairs. Not every guest will sit at the same time, but grandparents, relatives, neighbors, and families with young kids will appreciate a comfortable place to land.

For backyard graduation parties, the goal is usually flexible seating rather than formal assigned seating. Chairs can be arranged around tables, along the tent edges, or in small conversation groups. This keeps the event casual while still giving the party structure.

If your guest count is around 30, 60, or 80, one of the Badger Event Rentals graduation bundles can simplify the decision because the tent, tables, and chairs are already matched to the party size.

4. Pub Tables for Casual Gathering Spaces

Pub tables are useful for graduation parties because people tend to move around. Guests often stop in for 30 to 60 minutes, grab food, talk with the graduate, and leave before the next group arrives.

Pub tables give people a place to stand, set down a drink, or visit without taking up as much room as full seating tables. They also help prevent crowding around the food table or kitchen entrance.

This is one reason our graduation party bundles include pub tables. They make the layout feel more polished without making the event feel overly formal.

5. Fill & Chill Tables or Drink Stations

A drink station is one of the most practical rentals for a summer graduation party. Instead of constantly refilling coolers, a fill & chill table gives you a cleaner, easier way to keep bottled water, soda, juice, or other drinks cold and accessible.

For Central Wisconsin summer events, cold drinks are not optional. Guests may be outside in heat, sun, or humidity, and an organized drink station helps reduce traffic through the house.

Place the drink station away from the main food line if possible. This prevents bottlenecks and keeps guests moving naturally through the space.

6. Bistro Lights for Evening Open Houses

Many graduation parties start in the afternoon and continue into the evening. Bistro lights make a big difference once the sun starts to drop.

Lighting is not just decorative. It helps guests see food, walk safely under the tent, and stay comfortable after dusk. Graduation party rental checklists often include lighting as a common outdoor rental item, especially when the event may run later into the day.

Bistro lights also make photos look better and help the backyard feel more intentional. For a casual graduation party, they are one of the simplest upgrades that makes the event feel finished.

7. Sidewalls and Linens for a Cleaner, More Weather-Ready Setup

Tent sidewalls are useful when wind, rain, or cooler evening temperatures are possible. They can help protect food tables, block wind from one side of the tent, or make the space feel more enclosed if the weather turns.

Table linens are another detail that can change the whole look of the party. Even a simple backyard setup feels more finished when the tables are covered. Linens also help hide basic folding tables, protect surfaces, and create a cleaner presentation for food, desserts, photos, and gifts.

Badger Event Rentals graduation party bundles include tent sidewalls, bistro lights, table linens, tables, chairs, pub tables, fill & chill, and the tent itself. That keeps the planning process much simpler than ordering each piece separately.

Which Graduation Party Bundle Is Right for You?

• For smaller backyard parties or tighter spaces, the 20' x 20' bundle is a good fit for about 30 guests.

• For a typical open-house graduation party with steady guest turnover, the 20' x 40' bundle works well for about 60 guests.

• For larger families, shared graduation parties, or events where more guests may overlap at once, the 30' x 30' bundle accommodates about 80 guests.

The right choice depends on your yard, guest count, food setup, and how much of the party you want under cover.

Graduation Party Rentals in Central Wisconsin

Badger Event Rentals provides graduation party rentals across Central Wisconsin, including Wausau, Rib Mountain, Stevens Point, Marshfield, Minocqua, and nearby communities.

Whether you need a simple backyard tent rental or a complete graduation party bundle, the goal is the same: make the party easier to host and more comfortable for your guests.

Graduation Party FAQ's

• What size tent do I need for a backyard graduation party?

  For about 30 guests, a 20' x 20' tent bundle is often a good fit. For about 60 guests, consider a 20' x 40'. For around 80 guests, a 30' x 30' bundle gives more room for seating, food, and guest movement.

• Do I need chairs for every guest at a graduation party?

  Not always. Many graduation parties are open-house style, so guests come and go. However, you should have enough seating for older guests, families, and anyone eating a meal.

  
  

• Should I rent sidewalls for a summer graduation party?

  Yes, sidewalls are worth considering in Wisconsin. They can help protect against wind, rain, and cooler evening conditions.

  
  

• What comes with Badger Event Rentals graduation party bundles?

  Each bundle includes a tent, tables, chairs, pub tables, fill & chill, tent sidewalls, bistro lights, and table linens, sized appropriately for the selected guest count.

  
  

• How early should I reserve graduation party rentals?

  Earlier is better, especially for May and June weekends. Graduation season overlaps with weddings and other summer events, so tent and table availability can tighten quickly.