Our nation’s celebration of Independence, the Fourth of July, falls on a Friday this year which more or less makes this weekend a three day celebration of America. It’s not often that we have three days of fireworks, cookouts, vacations and patriotism.
If you’re taking advantage of this weekend to throw a Fourth of July party, why not do it up in amazing style, to outdo all of your friends and neighbors. Then when they look back on 2008, and remember times which shaped our nation, they just won’t talk about the Election, but YOUR Independence Day Bash!
1. Fireworks: Blow Away Your Neighbors!
OK, let’s cut right to the chase, the highlight to any Fourth of July Bash is the fireworks display. Generally, in almost every neighborhood across the United States, as soon as the sun sets on the Fourth, the fireworks competition begins and everyone tries to outdo their neighbors.
Don’t be the guy on your block caught with the sparklers, confetti and black snakes; prepare your fireworks assault with a surplus of some of the best you can find. Granted, stocking up on mortars and bottle rockets at South of the Border or your local TNT dealer will help with the show, but we recommend learning from our neighbors across the Pacific, as Japanese fireworks festivals are most definitely something you should emulate for your Fourth of July Party:
These will really blow away your neighbors:
2. Remember Old Glory
Old Glory will be flying everywhere on Independence Day and sometimes, overexposure to the flag can lead to forgetting the meaning and history behind its story. Once your party gets started, make it a point to turn down the stereo, gather the attention of your guests, make sure the men take off their hats, and have someone sing our National Anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.
Since our National Anthem is one of the first songs kids learn in band or in their music classes, have your kids pull out their recorders, guitars, accordions, pianos and what other instruments your guests may play to begin what will turn into a massive patriotic hootenanny.
If none of your guest have any talent, why not roll out the plasma TV and show one of the the greatest renditions of The Star-Spangled Banner ever, by one of the great sons and military veterans of our nation; James Marshall Hendrix.
Regardless, why rush to the gas station to pick up a best of Lee Greenwood CD when one of your local bands, your kids, or Hendrix should be able to keep your guests entertained.
3. Turn Your BBQ into a Pig Roast
Why serve the good old fashioned hotdogs and hamburgers at your Fourth of July party? Impress your guests by serving some of the freshest meat available and not a bunch of processed or frozen junk food.
Roasting a pig is one of the more wholesome and healthy ways to cook pork and you’d be surprised how many mouths you can feed from one pig. Either go out of your way to roast the pork yourself in your back yard (how to roast a pig), or call some BBQ professionals to take care of the chore. These guys totally know how to take care of keeping the party-goers happy with full stomachs of delicately roasted pork.
4. Throw a “Patrio-tiki” Pool Party
Show your creative side with a hybrid of hula and fireworks. Unlike most other US holidays, our forefathers decided to declare our independence from British rule during one of the hottest months of the year!
Instead of sweating up a storm, throw a pool party! Now, you’re already planning on swimming and grilling so a Tiki Party is not really that difficult of a theme to pull off.
Just switch out the burgers and hot dogs for teriyaki chicken kabobs, pineapple and macadamia nuts. If you’re up to it, roast a whole pig (see above) or serve up some salmon Lomi Lomi, but don’t be afraid to splash the traditional favorites like baked beans and apple pie. Throw some flowers and luau decor around the place and light up some tiki torches just before the first bang hits the night sky.
5. Dress the Part, Show Your Colors
On St. Patty’s Day, Americans go out of their way to wear green or dress like leprechauns, at your Fourth of July party, have your guests do the same. When you send out invitations, text messages or make phone calls, be sure to tell your guests to wear red, white and blue.
If they show up and are not wearing all three, don’t send them home. Supply them with hats, shirts or even some Uncle Sam or George Washington costumes. Heck, if your guests are lucky, maybe even Barack or McCain will show up 