To Americans, Independence Day is a meaningful holiday and often the centerpiece of summertime festivities. Among the more patriotic days on the American calendar, the 4th of July is also among the most festive.
Fireworks displays occur across the country, and backyard barbecues commonly begin in the afternoon and last well into the night. Want your 4th of July party to go off without a hitch? Check out the following tips.
* Coordinate the party with the local fireworks display. Almost very community has some type of fireworks display. Because fireworks shows are such a big part of the holiday, individuals might want to host their party the night of their town's festivities. This enables guests to enjoy the display from the backyard or at a nearby location.[Find our list of local fireworks displays HERE.]
For hosts tailoring their party around fireworks, be sure guests arrive early enough so they can enjoy food before the show — hosts won't want to be hovering over the grill when the fireworks start.
* Have something for everyone. Independence Day festivities are for people of all ages, so hosts should have something for everyone. Adults may appreciate a cold beer to accompany their burgers, but be sure to have plenty of other cold beverages on hand as well. Stock up on soda, ice water and other popular non-alcoholic beverages like lemonade and iced tea. Temperatures on the 4th of July are usually pretty warm, so hosts should buy more than they think they might need, as guests will be looking to stay cool and hydrated throughout the party.
When inviting guests, ask if anyone has any particular food allergies or dietary restrictions. Plenty of delicious vegetable dishes can be cooked right on the grill for vegetarian guests, and foods like fish might be more suitable for guests with preexisting health conditions who should not eat red meat.
[Check out a delicious (and healthy) recipe for grilled corn HERE.]
* Decorate. Just because the party will most likely take place outdoors doesn't mean you can't decorate. The 4th of July is all about red, white and blue, so display the American flag and decorate accordingly. Purchase festive cups and plates. You can even visit the local party store for some red, white and blue balloons.
Even the food can be decorated. Instead of making regular cookies, make American flag cookies complete with red, white and blue coloring, and do the same with the cupcakes. Bartenders can even use food coloring to make the drinks red, white or blue.
* Host your own fireworks display. Fireworks are illegal in many states, but they’re legal in Ohio (ages 18 and up only, though). Enlist the help of friends to host your own show. Keep the neighbors in mind, and always keep children away from the fireworks.
The 4th of July is one of the most festive days on America's calendar. With a few simple tips, hosts can ensure a magical night for family and friends.
Comments
I'd like to share some information with you. This story titled "Tips for a festive Fourth of July party" is misleading. By the picture shown at the top of the page, it implies that aerial fireworks are permitted for use by anyone. The fact is, only a licensed exhibitor is permitted to discharge aerial fireworks in Ohio, and such a performance is done by permit. Hosting your own fireworks display is fine, as long as it only involves the use of approved consumer grade class C fireworks. It specifically does not include the use of aerial fireworks. As a point of reference for a future story, you might want to consult the Ohio State Fire Marshal website to acquaint yourself with the type of fireworks that are permitted for use by the consumer in Ohio, and what is not permitted.