We came up with a real hit his summer- Costco sells most of the ingredients in feastable quantities, which makes it even better-
Naan bread (any thin flat bread could do) hummus, pesto, grape tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes, walnuts, feta cheese, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil and anything else mediterranean you can think of that may go well (olives? prosciutto for a meat lover?) You put it all out and people make themselves a small, delicious, but quite filling and healthful pizza. You can even through some Arugula or other greens on for fun and don’t forget a drizzle of balsamic!
As we say in spanish, “Buen provecho!” 
I make a salad that is always a favorite with guests. I got the recipe from a local restaurant.
Shipwreck salad
Lettuce torn into bite size pieces (I use a combo of iceberg and a gourmet blend from Aldis)
crumbled bacon (at least half a lb for a large salad)
shredded cheese (colby jack or mozzarella and cheddar)
sliced red onions
slaw dressing (one cup mayo or miracle whip, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup vinegar)
Dress the salad right before you serve it with the slaw dressing. It’s easy, and delicious! The tangy slaw dressing really makes it good. You can adjust the amounts of ingredients or dressing based on how big of a salad you need.
PSA–Sam’s Club used to have the big bags of Hormel Bacon crumbles and now only stock their Member’s Mark bacon bits (that come in same size bag) They are TERRIBLE–don’t spoil your salad with them!
Now back to this delicious programming!
We had Ottolenghi’s cauliflower salad from Jerusalem last night and I really like it. It’s a bit different from the usual.
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/12958-roasted-cauliflower-hazelnut-and-pomegranate-seed-salad
@abasket remember that vegetarians don’t eat fish, either, so you may want to add a vegetarian protein. Last night, I at a meet and greet dinner before our daughter’s wedding, I served a pot of beer-braised carnitas (super easy recipe from Epicurious and if you use fresh oranges instead of beer, it’s even better), and did a pot of beans on the side for the vegetarians. Sides of rice, tomatoes, peppers, cukes, lettuce, chips, tortillas, cheese. A big platter of roasted veggies and another of fruit that I got from the market. Homemade gazpacho. Did all the cooking except for the rice and beans the day before.
^^ Yes, I knew that! Thus the idea for portobello mushroom tacos or cheese enchiladas. 
The vegetarian is D1’s boyfriend and she also said if I had black beans or refried beans as a side that he’d be happy.
Last year for our pool party for dessert we made Frozen Fruit Skewers with Honey-Yogurt Dip, which were a big hit. Basically you cut up and skewer mangoes, kiwi, strawberries, and grapes on long bamboo skewers and freeze. Then blend together 1 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt, 3 oz softened cream cheese, 3 Tbsp honey, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1 tsp orange zest and refrigerate. Thaw fruit about 15 minutes before serving. Light and refreshing.
If you’re doing a Mexican theme, you could include pitchers of red and white Sangria. Mojitos are also good for outdoor parties. (I’m not a beer fan so look for alternatives.) I have recipes for these if you’re interested.
We like paella as a summer feast. We use a big huge paella pan outside and (male) guests like to get involved with the stirring paddle we’ve discovered. I have a smaller “inside” paella pan for 4-some when we don’t need to use the huge pan. I generally do a charcuterie board with olives, spanish sausage, almonds, crackers, artichokes and whatever moves me as an starter and paella is a meal in itself with crusty bread. A cold salad is easy and I generally make a “light” one with some sort of fruit in it to offset the paella. Beer and Sangria is all that is needed for beverages (in addition to sparkling or still water). The nice thing about paella is I have everything cut and measured in advance and then my husband just does the fire and paella pan duties along with his buddies and I get to not be in the kitchen and enjoy my friends. It is the best thing I’ve come up with with bigger type parties. You can add whatever you want to the paella…I usually like chicken, shrimp and spanish sausage but there are dozens of possibilities. It’s also a fun fall outdoor party in lieu of an octoberfest theme.
Hot pot or yakiniku is another easy do-it-yourself. You have one or two stations where folks can cook whatever—veggies, noodles, various proteins, etc in a broth or on a hot grill. It can be a wide range of things to cook—check out ethnic markets—enoki mushrooms, snow peas, various different greens, etc.
I am a huge fan of charcuterie!
The menu is as stands (between SIL and I):
@sabaray 's pork carnitas
Fish tacos
Cheese enchiladas
Sriracha slaw
Toppings galore
Homemade guac
Homemade salsa
Spiraled zucchini salad (SIL)
Tomato/Nectarine/Red Onion/Fresh Mozz/Basil salad with balsamic reduction.
Atlantic Beach Pie
Brownies
Boston Coolers (Vernors poured over vanilla ice cream)
Probably some type of craft beer! I drink very little if at all so I’m not in charge of that!!
But love hearing all these ideas and will use some for feasts down the road (like later this week!)
Now to figure out what I’m making for breakfast for my weekend guests…
Your meal sounds delicious and I hope you like the carnitas. Enjoy your casual feast!
Wow, the menu sounds awesome! Have a great time!
Sounds yummy!
I’m too late for this party, but this is a great summer salad - so cool and refreshing!
Sounds great. I haven’t lived in Michigan in many, many years, but I fondly remember Vernor’s!! That alone makes it a special feast!!
Do we get to suggest breakfast too?
I hadn’t heard of a Boston Cooler! Sounds great!
Another favorite along the same line is Lime Sherbet and Mountain Dew float. Yum!
I have never heard Vernor’s over vanilla ice cream referred to as a Boston Cooler! It’s funny that it’s called that since my guess is that it has nothing to do with Boston. When I used to visit my grandparents in Michigan many years ago, we used to make that, but just called it a Vernor’s ice cream float. Between those and the root beer floats at the A&W stand nearby, we were in float heaven!
Circa 1985 my late MIL introduced me to Vernor’s in Michigan. It was wonderful. Since then they’ve been bought out by some regular company and it just isn’t as gingery as it used to be. Alas. Such a loss. Vernor’s over vanilla ice cream sounds fab. Almost as good as a root beer float! 
The “boston coolers” were a hit on this 95 degree day! I wonder if maybe the term “boston cooler” originated with just ginger ale (not necessarily Vernors).
We have PLENTY of food. The cheese enchiladas were probably the biggest hit! And the pie! And the variety of salsas - I made a fresh mango salsa, and bought a Michigan cherry salsa that was quite good!