I grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, when summer weekends seemed to revolve around impromptu backyard barbecues. My parents were either hosting or heading to a friend’s or relative’s house, where guests trickled in with no real start or end time. If you arrived early, you were part of the setup crew.
Burgers, hot dogs and chicken came straight off the grill (with plenty of sides and drinks, usually provided by guests). Music, from classic soul to soca, played from a speaker hooked up to a stereo. And somewhere in the background, you could always hear a boisterous game of dominoes. Everything was served on paper plates with plastic cutlery. It was casual, often pulled together at the last minute, but always fun and memorable.
Now, as an adult in my 40s, those occasions feel few and far between. Over the last couple of summers, I can count on one hand how many barbecues I’ve been to (and I must admit, I haven’t hosted any either). Gatherings today often feel tied to milestones — birthdays, graduations, weddings, for example — or are planned as full-scale events, complete with a bar, a chef at the grill, curated décor, a D.J., and even a coordinated dress code.
It has me wondering: What happened to the simple summer barbecue? Has it faded, or just changed?
Are older generations still keeping these traditions alive? Are millennials and Gen Z hosting barbecues in new ways, or opting out of them altogether? And if the casual barbecue timetable has slowed down, what’s behind the shift?
Whether the barbecue, cookout, seafood boil, clam bake — or whatever you call a summer gathering at home — is alive and well in your circle, or is something you feel has faded over time, we would love to hear about it from your perspective. We are working on a story about what summer gatherings at home look like now, across generations and in different parts of the country. We will read each response and may follow up for more details. We won’t publish anything without your permission or share your information outside the newsroom.
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