How do you find those people? I’ve done lots of fundraisers for various causes (I’m a soft touch.) i have used friends of my kids, who are still around post-high school, as servers. My husband hates events like this and he’s always willing to be a bartender.I once had a friend who was a restaurant manager ask a server and bartender from the restaurant to work a party and that worked well.
Our neighbors have an annual event. They want some of the appetizers passed, and also wanted someone to make sure the buffet was stocked, and cleared up when plates were empty. Every year, they hired high school neighborhood kids. The kids would have been there anyway…and getting paid was a bonus. So…do you all have neighbors high school kids?
You might ask on FB or Next Door.
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That’s exactly what I’d suggest, questions like that are asked all of the time on my local pages.
I second the fajitas idea or do a pork taco or pulled chicken taco bar with the meat precooked in aluminum tray or crockpot ready to serve. Then you won’t have to do last minute grilling.
Or build your own burritos (think Chipotle but better) Chips, salsa, guac and a greens salad. Or a yummy elote corn salad.
Make your own sundaes. Or dress your own brownie (ice cream, sauces, sprinkles, nuts, whipped cream.
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I’ve done the soft taco/burrito buffet idea.
Another go to is a Santa Maria style meal which is grilled tri tip, slapdash, a chili type beans, garlic bread. I usually also cook some chicken as some don’t eat beef.
Another hit has been grilled steak and chicken kabobs, vegetable kabobs, Israeli cucumber chopped salad, orzo salad and pita bread. Hummus, pita chips, red pepper slices for appetizer. The last party I went to they had falafel and tahini as an appetizer.
I would avoid pork unless you know the group.
I have a menu that I often use that involves a lot of make-ahead (yay!) and also works for vegetarians since the shrimp can be on the side on skewers. There is a famous Providence restaurant named Al Forno. You can google “Al Forno’s penne with tomato, cream, and 5 cheeses”. It’s pretty decadent 
, and I usually add some asparagus. Then I’ll make Nordstrom’s cilantro lime chipotle salad (again, you can google). It is literally the most delicious homemade salad dressing on earth. I add avocado and sometimes a few other things to the basic recipe for the salad. The pepitos are critical! Then I’ll grill chicken or shrimp in a lime marinade that goes on the side, so vegetarians can opt out of that. I do find that we can grill the chicken/shrimp about an hour before the party and keep at room temp under Saran Wrap or tin foil. Obviously can make the salad ahead, and the pasta is make-ahead except put it in the oven when people are there. It’s not a fancy menu (although you can add a lovely tomato tart or something else elegant-looking), but it is truly delicious and can be prepped in advance and accommodates a lot of people’s dietary needs (but it’s not vegan as there’s cheese). People who are gluten-free can focus on the hearty salad & protein; vegetarians can eat the salad/pasta/tart; or people without restrictions can have it all! It is also scale-able to large groups, although the pasta is best if it’s done in a relatively shallow dish (part of the appeal is the crispy top), so you’d want to use many large dishes for a large crowd. Enjoy your party!
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Thank you very much for all the suggestions! I am definitely going to add a second salad and am thinking of Greek, Tex-mex, kebabs(precooked and warmed), or premade sliders for an entree. Climate is warm and party will be partly inside and partly outside. My latest thought is if we can pull this together in October having Halloween themed appetizers and desserts. Must be the ol’ room mother in me coming out. Ideas for orange colored spicy topping on a round of cream cheese, a 7 layer dip with a spiderweb of sour cream, a pumpkin shaped cheese ball and boo- scotti as a dessert. But no costumes!!!
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Ok I get the no costumes thing. BUT BUT BUT I have the easiest idea for a really fun costume party that dramatically alters everyone’s appearance but is low-stress for the attendees. I went to a 40th birthday that was a wig party. Soooooo easy. Not a lot of stress about being clever and creating a fabulous costume. But a wig is so simple and everyone is transformed. Some had a rainbow clown wig, others had hair just very different from theirs (long or short or a different color, etc). Some had a famous person’s hair. Some had a crazy color bob or other wig. Some had a bald wig. Some had a rocker’s wig. Whatever. It was hilarious but at the same time not a burden on anyone–so easy to grab a wig! So if you at allllllll think you are going for halloween themed party, this is my suggestion for something that won’t be dreaded by even your laziest/lamest friends!!! Just a thought. Sounds like you have a great plan overall!
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Okay, now I want to figure out a way to weave the wig idea into a 60th birthday party, because I love this idea!
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Just saw a post on FB about the guests at a 60th bday party “wiggin’ out” for her birthday! And yes, pics of all kinds of wigs. Fun idea!
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