Timing for family cookout/pool party?

[Twoboos]

Planning a family reunion/cookout/pool party. How long should it be? <poll coming>

This obviously wouldn't be a hard start/stop, just general idea for people. I'm tempted to go earlier to have some wiggle room on cleaning up, etc. and it not being too late for getting the kids into bed. I figure we'll have some stragglers.

We are Italian, so there will be a lot of talking. :wink2:

[liz]

If it's a family reunion then I would assume that people haven't seen each other in a long time. Hence I would plan on some people staying longer than 4 hours, but overall the times you chose sound good.

ETA: I like starting at 12pm

[SnuggleBuggles]

I'm inclined to do an evening affair with like a 4 start. After nap time and plenty of time to clean and prep. Otherwise, 11 or 12 start.