How to Host a Wiener Roast

Nothing beats sitting around a campfire, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows and sharing an evening with friends. If you've never hosted a wiener roast before, you're in for a treat -- one that may become a yearly tradition for your family and friends.

Instructions

1. Decide how you're going to cook up the dogs. You could barbecue them on the grill, or cook them the old-fashioned way over a fire (make sure you check your local regulations about fire restrictions.)

2. Find some fun invitations, or create an original design on your computer. An actual invitation may help your wiener-roast attendance more than just an invitation by phone call. But if it's a last-minute party, no worries.

3. Ask your friends to bring along a dish to share. The standard picnic fare works for a wiener roast: potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, s'mores and of course, hot dogs.

4. Don't pass off the cheap hot dogs on your friends. Splurge on the best hot dogs you can afford. They deserve the more expensive all-beef hot dog. Consider having turkey dogs available as an option for dieting friends.

5. remember the hot dog condiments--old standbys like ketchup, yellow mustard and sweet relish-but throw in some coney sauce, diced onions, vidalia onion relish and dijon or stadium mustard as well.

6. Arrange comfortable seating around your campfire. You may have to borrow a few chairs from a friend, or ask a few guests to throw a couple of extra folding chairs in the car. Supply a few warm blankets to cuddle under once the night chill sets in.

7. Build your fire only with dry, seasoned wood. Have a garden hose or bucket nearby to extinguish an out-of-control fire.

8. Make sure you have enough metal hot dog sticks for everyone, or at least enough to share.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch children around campfires. Do not allow them to run around or near the fire.

• Adults should supervise older children cooking with hot dog sticks. The sticks become poker-hot and can cause a serious burn or injury.