Host a Backyard Beach Party at Your Home’s Pool

Posted on November 15, 2018August 14, 2026 by riley

The beach is a special place—it’s a “shore” thing! There’s nothing quite like a day at the beach to ease away stress, recharge your batteries, and soothe your soul. Beach living is easy living. Meals are grab and go, schedules are merely a suggestion, and make-up is definitely optional. Read on to discover tasty inspirations for your next backyard beach party around your beach entry pool.

Have you ever wished you could live right at the beach? Now you can thanks to Thursday Pools’ patented (US Patent 10,472,839) fiberglass beach entry pools. With the Sandal or the Grace in your backyard, you’ll have the freedom to enjoy a day at the beach with the conveniences of a full kitchen and private bathroom just on the other side of the door.

Landscapes and hardscapes can help create a sense of place at the beach, too. And once you’re living on the beach, there’s no limit to how many different beach-themed parties you can host. Easy beach party menus help you bring the shore to your door, whether it’s just a casual weeknight dinner or a celebration full of family and friends. Where would you like to party this week?

Bring on a bit of Florida flair.

Grouper, crab cakes, and hush puppies are the de rigueur on Florida menus. Shrimp cocktails and ceviches will enhance the Florida beach feel, too. Serve a chilled seafood buffet or blacken some grouper and throw it on the grill. For dessert, key lime pie is, of course, a must.

Mix up a little Mexican cuisine.

Beach pool parties should be casual and easy. Set up a build-your-own-taco or nacho bar poolside complete with fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, and cilantro to garnish. Scatter baskets of chips and salsa around the tables for easy snacking, then sit back and relax at your own private beach.

How about a taste of the Caribbean?

Tropical fruits like papaya, mango, and guava paired with fresh-grilled fish, jerk chicken, shrimp, pork, or steak are the epitome of Caribbean cuisine along with Jamaican-influenced dishes like red beans and rice. Throw some kabobs on the grill to pair with a fresh fruit salsa and side of seasoned rice and beans and your Caribbean beach party is ready to go.

Or, perhaps, a Thai-Inspired Meal?

Satays are everywhere in Thailand, including on the beach. They’re similar in style to the kabobs of the Caribbean, but with a completely different flavor profile. Marinate chicken, shrimp, pork, or steak in coconut milk and Asian spices for an hour or so, thread onto wooden skewers (soaked in water first so they won’t burn), and throw them on the grill. Serve with a quick and easy peanut sauce on the side, and maybe a chilled cucumber salad or noodle dish, and you have a deliciously

authentic Thai dinner ready for your beach party.

When you decide how to throw a beach party around your backyard’s zero entry pool, you can enjoy the casual luxury of beachfront living any night of the week. Fiberglass beach entry pools are now available in both a stately rectangular design and a curving, flirty freeform. Choose the design that best fits the vibe you want to create in your backyard beach oasis and get an estimate today!

3 Easy Steps to Hosting the Perfect Labor Day Pool Party

Posted on August 10, 2018July 16, 2026 by Karen

The arrival of Labor Day means the kids are back in school, fall is just around the corner and the joys of the holiday season will be here before we know it, but it’s far from time to close up the pool. We still have some great swim time left! Designated to appreciate the hard work Americans do all year long, many use the day off by hosting (or attending) a pool party. In this post, we share some of our favorite recipes and Labor Day pool party ideas for an all-American pool party.

Step One: The Decor

Red, white and blue decor–tablecloths, plates, napkins, streamers and other festive Americana table decor is easy to find this time of year. Check out your local party goods store, or look online. Since this decor will also look great at your Fourth of July pool parties, you might think about investing in some decor that you can use for years to come.

Step Two: The Buffet

Labor Day parties should be easy, laid-back and fun for you as well as your guests. Do yourself a favor, and set up buffets for all your food and beverage. Put the food table near the kitchen and/or the grill, whichever is most convenient for your menu. If you’re hosting a larger group, put the beverages on the opposite end of your pool area to keep your guests from creating a traffic jam. If your group is small, you can keep everything closer together.

Cover your buffet table with a flag themed cloth, and add height with cake towers and vases to it to make it more visually appealing.

Step Three: The Menu

All recipes serve six.

Easy Watermelon Feta Salad with Fresh Basil and Reduced Balsamic

Sure, we’ve eaten plenty of watermelon all summer long. But this salad gives watermelon a sweet-mixed-with-savory twist your guests will love!

Ingredients:

10 cups seedless watermelon, scooped into balls and placed in a large serving bowl (preferably clear to show the color!)

1 cup crumbled feta cheese

½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped immediately prior to serving

Reduced balsamic glaze (available in the vinegar section of most grocery stores)

Instructions:

Immediately prior to guest arrival, toss the feta in with the watermelon balls. Stir gently, just to mix. Drizzle reduced balsamic glaze in a crisscross pattern over the salad. Garnish with freshly chopped basil.

Blackened Chicken Sliders with Fig Jam and Arugula

Burgers are an obvious choice for a cookout, but everyone loves chicken, and these spicy but sweet, bite-size sandwiches will keep everyone coming back for more!

Ingredients:

2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Blackening spice to coat (approximately ⅛ cup)

Fig jam (found in the jelly aisle of most grocery stores)

2 packages Hawaiian rolls (slider buns)

2 cups fresh arugula

24 4-inch bamboo skewers

Instructions:

Toss the chicken thighs in the blackening spice and let marinate up to two hours. The chicken thighs can be grilled the morning of the party and refrigerated or grilled immediately prior to making the sliders. They’re great hot or cold. Grill the thighs to an internal temperature of 155 degrees. Don’t overcook. Each chicken thigh will yield about two sliders if you cut each one in half after grilling.

About an hour before guests arrive, assemble the sliders. Cut the buns in half and spread the top of the bun with fig jam. Place the chicken on the bottom bun and top with a handful of arugula. Place the lid on and secure with a bamboo skewer. Arrange on a platter.

Grilled Parmesan-Crusted Sweet Corn

The end of summer means saying farewell to sweet corn until next year, so make sure you include it in your end-of-season soiree! This recipe is easy to make and adds a little zing to a classic summer treat.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup mayonnaise

6 ears corn, husk and silk removed

1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions:

Preheat your grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil grate. Brush a thin layer of mayonnaise on each ear of corn. Sprinkle the corn with the Parmesan cheese, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Wrap each ear with aluminum foil and place on the grill. Grill, turning occasionally, until the kernels begin to brown, about 10 minutes.

Summer Berry Trifle

Berries are one of summer’s greatest joys. Toss in some angel food cake, yummy pudding and whipped cream and you have the easiest, lightest, summeriest dessert there is.

Ingredients

Two 3.4 oz. packages instant cheesecake flavored pudding mix

4 cups milk

Angel food cake (about 12 oz), cut into pieces

1 cup chopped strawberries

1 cup blueberries

1 cup chopped raspberries

12 oz. cool whip (or homemade whipped cream)

Instructions:

Add the pudding mix and milk to a large bowl and make according to package directions. Next, build your trifle in a clear, footed bowl as follows: Add about half of the angel food cake pieces to the trifle dish. Top with about 1/2 of the prepared pudding. Add a layer of berries (about 1/2 cup of each kind of berry.) Top the berries with about half of the cool whip. Continue layering and finish off the trifle with a decorative layer of berries on top. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours, and remove from refrigerator just before serving.

Happy Labor Day!

We hope you enjoy these quick and easy Labor Day pool party ideas so you’ll have loads of time to enjoy your food, your guests, and especially your pool!

Throw a California Themed Party Around Your Pool!

Posted on June 22, 2018July 16, 2026 by JosiahSchaefer

Everyone loves a pool party. What could be better than good friends, good food and fun next to your beautiful inground fiberglass pool? Well, if you’re ready to take your entertaining to the next level, why not add a theme to your next pool party? If you love west coast style, cool color schemes and light, delicious and elegant food, plan a California themed party around your inground fiberglass pool and you’ll impress your friends with a party they’ll talk about for years to come.

The key components of a California beach party are:

Healthy (but tasty!) food. California cuisine is focused around fresh and local ingredients. Making everything easy to pick up and eat while moving around and chatting also amps up the social factor of your pool party.
Subtle color schemes. While bright, primary colors are fun, save them for a more casual beach party or kid’s party. Choose a color scheme that’s reflective of the ocean—shades of white and sand, aqua and maybe a splash of coral. These colors will look amazing next to the water in your pool, especially if your pool color is a lovely shade of blue.
A special occasion. You’ve had plenty of parties around your inground fiberglass pool that were casual affairs like pitch-ins or barbeques. Use a California themed party to entertain the boss or a group of very close friends. Or perhaps you’re celebrating an anniversary, a landmark birthday or even a small wedding or rehearsal dinner. Take a little extra time to attend to the details that will make this party one to remember.
A beautiful, inground fiberglass pool, of course! A Californa themed party without a beautiful pool just doesn’t have the same feel. And, if you really want to take your beach-themed pool parties to the next level, look into getting a beach entry fiberglass pool! You’ll feel like you’re on vacation every day and your guests will feel like they’re been transported to the coast!

Ready to make a splash and wow your family and friends with a spectacular party? Check out this handy guide that will help you create an amazing California themed party. It will make planning your party a snap!

Press Room

Get Outside After Your Thanksgiving Dinner!

Posted on November 22, 2017July 29, 2026 by John Wigand

We’ve all experienced that post-turkey dinner food coma, and for years we’ve been told that “tryptophan” is to blame. We could take comfort in the fact that all we wanted to do was nap on Thanksgiving, because our turkey had, in essence, slipped us a sleeping pill. Well, we’re sorry to have to tell you this, but apparently that’s an old wive’s tale. Tryptophan is found in many common foods, including cheese, chicken, beef and eggs. So much for our napping excuse. (We KNOW our need to sleep doesn’t have anything to do with the three servings of mashed potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin pie we had, right?) So if we don’t have a good excuse to nap, what should we do? Get outside after Thanksgiving dinner, that’s what!

There’s nothing like a brisk jaunt around the neighborhood to shake off the after-dinner fog. Haul everyone off the couch and toss a football around in the backyard. Get the kids to play a game of freeze tag or throw a frisbee for the pup. (Or, if you have a pool, have an after-dinner swim!) It’s essential that you burn off some calories so that you can have enough energy to dive into the leftovers and make a turkey sandwich later that night. Aunt Sally’s green bean casserole is always better after it’s had a chance to sit, and that pie’s not going to eat itself, now is it?

Benefits of Owning a Spa

Posted on September 29, 2017July 29, 2026 by cargo

No one can doubt that a spa can add an extra relaxation element to your backyard. Spas are popular choices among most people. They make for the perfect place to relax, as well as a perfect place to host friends and family. There are more advantages of owning a spa than just having a place to relax. As relaxing as spas are, other benefits help improve overall physical and mental health.

Improved sleeping habits

There are many studies out there that suggest that soaking in hot water before going to bed at night can help you fall asleep and have a more relaxed sleep. Getting into the hot pool spa before bed helps regulate your body temperature to a comfortably warm level that helps you fall asleep quicker and sleep through the night with fewer disruptions. Good sleep improves everything from your mental alertness, stronger immune system, rejuvenated muscles and even the way your body metabolizes food.

Pain relief

While soaking in a hot spa may not cure any pain disorders you may experience, it can significantly alleviate chronic pain and provide relief. Heat can reduce the symptoms and alleviate pain associated with many different conditions. Muscle inflammation, arthritis, and general joint pain are some of the health conditions that can be reduced significantly by a warm soak in some hot water.

Lower blood pressure

While sitting in a hot spa, the elevated water temperature makes your heart works slightly harder and faster to get your body to disperse the excess heat. This does raise your blood pressure, but as the hot water raises your body’s temperature, that warmth causes cells and vessels to dilate which decreases the resistance to your heart. The decreasing of resistance to your heart improves your body’s circulation, and ultimately lowering your blood pressure.

Stress relief

It is an obvious benefit, but soaking in a hot spa can be very beneficial to your health. Stress can cause a lot of problems in your life and with your health. Stress tends to increase a blood pressure and inhibit proper circulation. Soaking in hot water can counteract stress as the perfect combination of hot water, massaging from the spa jets, and the feel of being weightless in the water helps you relax and decrease anxiety.

There is no doubt in our mind that you will not regret purchasing a spa for your backyard. Depending on where you live, you can’t always use your swimming pool all year, but with a hot spa, you can enjoy it no matter what the season is. Take a look at a few spas that we have to offer, and we will help you choose one for you!

Thursday Pools® Names Annie Brock As Director of Business Development

Posted on October 31, 2013July 29, 2026 by cargo

Fortville, IN. October 31, 2013– Thursday Pools® announced today that Annie Brock has been named Director of Business Development. As Director of Business Development, Brock will be responsible for gaining and strengthening key dealer relationships throughout the US and Canada.

“We are excited to have Annie on board and are looking forward to the wealth of knowledge that she brings to us and more importantly to our Independent Dealers.’” –says Ed Vondell, Owner of Thursday Pools®.

Annie Brock comes to us from Pools of Fun, Inc., one of Indiana’s largest pool companies. Brock spent 20 years at Pools of Fun experiencing many different facets of the Pool & Spa Industry.

“Thursday is phenomenal to work with. They are consistently striving for excellence in everything they do. I met with her (Annie Brock) briefly and she was already bouncing ideas off me. She will be a great addition to the Thursday Pools team.” -says Larry Hemmelgarn, LCH Services, Chicago, IL.

Brock began working in the pool industry in 1993 as a Pools of Fun retail associate while still in high school. After graduating from Hanover College with a degree in Business Administration, Blake began to work her way up. She held roles as a construction coordinator, sales & marketing coordinator, marketing manager and as a design consultant. With having over 20 years of experience in the pool business, it is easy to say that she knows her stuff! Thursday Pools looks forward to the future and working with Brock as the new Director of Business Development.

Thursday Pools® manufactures one-piece fiberglass pools and is proud of its 30 year history in the fiberglass composite industry. Located on 56 acres in Fortville, Indiana, Thursday Pools® distributes its fiberglass pools throughout the US and Canada. Brock will first focus on building fiberglass pool dealer relationships in Kentucky and Illinois and then proceed outward. For more information visit www.thursdaypools.com.

Thursday Pools® hosts fiberglass pool seminar for members of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals.

Posted on October 24, 2013July 29, 2026 by cargo

APSP Pool Seminar Hosted by Thursday Pools®

Fortville, IN. October 23, 2013– On Tuesday, October 15^th, Thursday Pools® played host to the Indiana Chapter of APSP’s first members only educational seminar. In an effort to deliver added value to their members, the APSP (Association of Pool and Spa Professionals) decided to hold this free event and Thursday Pools® jumped at the opportunity to be a part of it.

“Because the Fiberglass Pool Industry is still in its infancy in comparison to traditional types of in-ground swimming pools, there is a lot of miss information out there and so any time we get an opportunity to educate and provide people with a positive experience – it’s a win win for us.’” –says Bill Khamis, Owner of Thursday Pools®.

The APSP pool seminar was considered a successful event by the APSP and Thursday Pools®. It was attended by over a dozen members throughout Central Indiana. Both companies hope that this leads the way for a more involved membership base.

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals is a community of professionals dedicated to promoting the enjoyment and safe use of pools, spas, and hot tubs. They leverage the collective talent, energy, and expertise of APSP membership to deliver the resources and education that enable APSP members to be stronger, smarter, safer, and therefore more successful. For more information visit www.APSP.org.

Thursday Pools Press Release – Best Diving Rectangular Pool 2013

Posted on December 28, 2012July 30, 2026 by cargo

Thursday Pools is honored to have our Monolith model named Best Diving Rectangular Pool for 2013 by Marcus Sheridan of River Pools and Spas. Connect to his blog to read more…

Thursday Pools strongly recommends that diving boards and slides not be installed or used with its pools, given the inherent dangers associated with diving boards and slides in residential pools. If despite this warning and recommendation, the owner decides to install or use a diving board or slide, Thursday Pools further warns that diving boards and slides require minimum depths and distances and must be installed and used in strict compliance with the equipment manufacturer’s specifications and ANS I/NSPI, ANS I/APSP, and ANS I/APSP/ ICC standards. The owner is responsible for making sure the pool is appropriate for diving boards and slides and otherwise meets all standards for diving pools.

Thursday Pools Press Release – CMEP and Bradbury’s Waterin’ Hole Visit

Posted on December 17, 2012July 30, 2026 by cargo

Thursday Pools Press Release – Key Employees Visit Cummins MidRange Engine Plant (CMEP) in Columbus Indiana

12/15/12

Key employees from Thursday Pools visited Cummins MidRange Engine Plant as a part of our benchmarking activities. The employees looked for best practices in the areas of safety, quality and productivity. Several items were observed which will be applied to the Thursday Pools Operating System (TPOS). Operator cross-training was discussed as a way of continuous improvement in the area of quality. Principal Bill Khamis was impressed with the plant floor organization examples which mimic current stations in the Thursday Pools production area.

An additional stop was made in Columbus at Bradbury’s Waterin’ Hole, one of Thursday Pools dealers. Ray Bradbury and Roy West received the group and welcomed us with open arms. The Waterin’ Hole is an impressive dealership, with a broad array of spas, outdoor furniture, grills, fireplaces and models of the Thursday Pools product line. Our thanks to Ray and Roy for their hospitality and we look forward to a great pool season in 2013.