Somewhere between the first sip of bourbon, the smell of a wood fire, and a kid proudly showing off a freshly decorated pumpkin, I realized something: October in Michigan had absolutely no business being this beautiful.
Seventy degrees. Blue skies. Sunshine. A backyard full of friends, families, football fans, and enough fall spirit to make a pumpkin patch jealous.
And there I was, Luna Belle, dressed for the occasion and ready to show off a few new tricks.
This time, I was rolling into an autumn celebration hosted by Audrey’s Adventures in Realty—and let me tell you, Audrey knows how to turn an ordinary afternoon into the kind of gathering people don’t want to leave.
The event was scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. Three hours of fall fun. Simple enough, right? Well, apparently nobody told the guests. People were still hanging around well past 9 p.m. That’s right. What started as an afternoon gathering turned into an all-evening backyard celebration. When the company is good, the drinks are flowing, and nobody is checking their phones, I suppose going home becomes more of a suggestion.
Audrey transformed her yard into a little slice of autumn, complete with a pumpkin patch where the kids could pick out their own pumpkins. Once they found their favorite, they headed over to the decorating station to give it some personality. Some pumpkins were destined to be masterpieces. Others, I suspect, were just happy to make it home in one piece.
Nearby, a fire was crackling, and a s’mores bar was ready for kids and grown-ups alike. Because apparently, nobody ever outgrows the combination of chocolate, marshmallows, graham crackers, and a little controlled fire hazard.
Add in a professional photographer Audrey hired to capture family photos with a beautiful fall backdrop, and the afternoon had all the ingredients for a memorable seasonal get-together.
It wasn’t just a party. It was a chance for families to make memories, friends to catch up, and new faces to become familiar ones. And that, if you ask me, is a pretty wonderful way to spend an October afternoon.
Now, let's talk about the important stuff. Me. Green is usually a pretty reliable part of my look, but when autumn rolls around, even a glamorous vintage horse trailer knows when it’s time for a wardrobe change.
For Audrey’s fall party, I traded my usual greenery for a richer palette of reds, yellows, golds, and oranges. Think Michigan fall foliage, cozy evenings, and the kind of colors that make you want to grab a cider and stay outside just a little longer. The decorations gave me a completely different personality for the day. Warm, welcoming, and just a touch dramatic. Naturally. I fit right into the setting, with the pumpkin patch, fire pit, and autumn decorations creating a picture-perfect backyard scene. If you’re going to host a fall party, you might as well commit to the theme.
Of course, no fall gathering would be complete without a seasonal cocktail, and Audrey came prepared with her own creation: the Apple Cider Smash.
Apple cider, bourbon, honey, cinnamon, clove, orange. It's practically autumn in a glass.
The cider brought the unmistakable flavor of the season, the bourbon added warmth and character, and the honey rounded things out with a touch of sweetness. The fall spices tied everything together into a cocktail that felt right at home beside the fire pit.
It's the sort of drink that makes sense on a sunny October afternoon but would be just as welcome on a chilly evening when the leaves are falling and the patio heaters are working overtime.
For beer drinkers, we had Sam Adams OctoberFest and Spaten Oktoberfest on hand. Both were right on theme, giving guests a couple of classic seasonal options.
And because the little guests deserve a proper beverage menu, too, the kids had sodas, apple cider, and water available throughout the event. There was something for everyone, whether they were enjoying a cocktail, cracking open a beer, or taking a break from pumpkin decorating for a refreshing drink.
This event was special for another reason: it was the debut of The Derby Bar’s new Tailgating Package.
Now, I already know how to make a backyard party look good. But the new package brings something extra to the table—or, in this case, the tailgate.
Building on everything included in our Preakness Package, the Tailgating Package adds two massive 75-inch TVs and an audio package so guests can watch the big game without missing the commentary.
And when I say massive, I mean massive. The boys gathered around to watch the University of Michigan and Michigan State football games, while the kids bounced between yard games, pumpkin decorating, and exploring the woods. Everyone had their own way to enjoy the afternoon, and the backyard naturally became a collection of little gathering spots.
Football fans had the screens. The kids had pumpkins and games. The s’mores station kept people circling back to the fire. And I was right in the middle of it all, serving as both a beverage station and a rather stylish meeting point.
That's the beauty of a well-designed tailgate party: it doesn't have to mean standing around a cooler in a parking lot. With the right setup, you can bring the energy of game day into your own backyard—with comfortable gathering spaces, great drinks, clear audio, and a place for everyone to settle in.
Whether you're hosting a college football watch party, an NFL Sunday gathering, a neighborhood tailgate, or a fall birthday celebration, the new Tailgating Package brings the tailgating experience home.
By the time the afternoon turned into evening, the original 5 p.m. finish was long gone. Old friends had caught up. New friendships had started. Kids had decorated pumpkins, families had taken photos, and guests had found plenty of reasons to stay just a little longer.
That's the part I loved most. Yes the football was fun. The Apple Cider Smash was a delicious. The s’mores were doing what s’mores do best. But the real success was seeing people relax enough to forget about their schedules and simply enjoy being together.
Audrey’s Adventures in Realty created a setting where different generations could have fun at the same time, without anyone feeling like they had to choose between the kids’ activities and the grown-up gathering.
And for The Derby Bar, it was the perfect opportunity to debut a new package in the way we hoped it would be used: not just as a place to grab a drink, but as part of a full backyard experience.
Michigan's fall season never lasts long enough, so when you get a sunny 70-degree October day, you make the most of it. You pick pumpkins. You roast marshmallows. You pour something with bourbon and apple cider. You turn on the football games, invite your favorite people, and let the afternoon unfold.
And if your guests are still there at 9 p.m. when you planned to wrap things up at 5? Well, I’d call that a pretty successful party.
A big thank-you to Audrey’s Adventures in Realty for having me along for such a fun fall celebration. I loved showing off my autumn colors, helping launch The Derby Bar’s Tailgating Package, and watching a beautiful afternoon turn into a night full of conversation, football, and new memories.
Until next time,
Luna Belle
Host: Audrey’s Adventures in Realty
Venue: Private residence
Alcohol provider: Good Time Party Store
Photographer: Freddy Ray Photography
Bar Service: The Derby Bar
