Summer Fiesta

Fiesta music should be fun, lively and upbeat. Create a playlist of tunes that incorporates various types of traditional Latin music, especially salsa and mariachi songs. Popular Mexican musical artists can also be incorporated into your fiesta soundtrack.

Choose artists like Shakira, Selena, Paulina Rubio, Carlos Santana and Mana. To quickly and efficiently build your summer fiesta playlist, try downloading some of these albums:

• The Greatest Salsa Ever, Volume 3
• Fiesta Mexicana Con Mariachi
• The Best of Santana
• Shakira: Grandes Exitos
  

In keeping with the casual, laid-back atmosphere of your summer fiesta, let guests serve themselves from a taco buffet. Provide at least two types of meat, vegetables, salsa, guacamole and cheese so guests can build their ultimate taco. Here's a sample menu of items to provide for your taco bar:

Taco Bar Menu

• Ground Beef or Sliced Steak
  
• Chicken cut into small slices
• Slow Cooked Pork Carnitas
• Soft and hard taco shells (enough for 3-4 per guest)
• Chopped white onions
• Grilled bell pepper strips
• Shredded iceberg lettuce
• Shredded cheese
• Salsa verde
• Homemade Tomato, Corn and Avocado Salsa
  
• Mild Salsa
• Tabasco sauce
• Lime wedges
• Sour cream
• Homemade Guacamole
  

The bright, cheery colors of a traditional Mexican fiesta are perfect for a lively summer celebration. The most popular bright fiesta colors are red, green, yellow, bright pink and orange. The range of colors makes decorating easy and stress-free - no strict color combinations to worry about, just a rainbow of vibrant hues to add splashes of color to your party. Here are some budget-friendly, high-impact decorations you can use to create an authentic fiesta atmosphere:

Papel Picado

Papel picado simply means "cut paper" in Spanish. Traditional fiestas are draped in colorful papel picado banners crafted from hand-cut pieces of bright tissue paper. Bright, eye-catching and extremely budget-friendly, papel picado banners are perfect for lining the outdoor party area. String them from tree to tree, along the roof overhang like Christmas lights, over the party area or around the edge of food tables to swathe your party in color.

Pinatas

Find small sized star-shaped piñatas from a local party store. Purchase three to seven piñatas and hang them in a group at varying heights. You can either string a sturdy piece of twine or fishing line between two stationary items (trees, roof, etc.) to create a line from which to hang the piñatas or simply string a bunch from the branches of backyard trees.

Candlelight and Lantern Light

Use colorful candles of all sizes along the center of tables to illuminate the party area in a soft, pretty glow. Lanterns can either be placed on the tables or hung from strong twine or fishing line from trees to enhance the festive party atmosphere.