Tips for a Bangin’ 4th of July Party

Independence Day, more commonly known as the 4th of July, is somewhat of an overlooked holiday. Sure, people are excited to get the day off from work and many folks cook out on the grill and maybe catch a night time fireworks display. But there’s a whole lot more you can do to make this great American holiday extra special.

Hosting a July 4th party can be a lot of fun. If you live in a development, consider having a neighborhood block party on the 4th. Collect money towards meats for the grill, paper products and some beverages, and then have everyone sign up to bring a side dish or dessert.

If you would prefer to keep your July 4th party a little more low key, invite a few guests over and have friends and family members bring items like deviled eggs, pasta salad and brownies. Stock up on hamburgers, hotdogs and chicken for the grill. A crock pot full of baked beans can simmer all day long. And once the food situation is taken care of, why not have some games for the adults and kids?

Bicycle decorating and parade. Who doesn’t love a parade? If lots of kids will be attending your party, have them decorate their bicycles with red, white and blue crepe paper, mini flags and other festive decor. Then have the kids parade around the block on their bikes.

Three legged race. Pick a partner and tie your legs together with a piece of fabric (old pantyhose works well). Partners race towards the finish line – the first pair back wins.

Potato sack race. This classic game never goes out of style. Players hop to the finish line in a potato sack – the first player to cross the finish line is the winner. You can also use old pillowcases in lieu of potato sacks.

Water balloon toss. Have partners alternate tossing water-filled balloons back and forth. When a balloon breaks, that team is out. Last pair standing is the winner.

Ice cream eating contest. Fill plastic bowls with ice cream and have players compete to lick their bowls clean the fastest. Throw a twist in by tying players’ hands behind their backs.

Looking for more ways to have fun at your party? Even if you don’t have a pool in your yard, create a water park for the kids by filling up a few kiddy pools and putting out an inexpensive slip and slide. Kids also just love running through a sprinkler.

For the older kids and adults, play a game of croquet, bocce or horseshoes. And if you have a big enough group at your party, why not play an all-American game of baseball?

Tips for a bangin’ menu:

� Stuff burgers with crumbled blue cheese for an unexpected twist.

� Add some flavor to plain ground beef by adding a little steak sauce and a dash of Worcestershire before shaping the meat into hamburger patties.

âÂ?¢ Make this secret sauce for burgers and hotdogs: Mix ketchup, mustard, relish and a little mayonnaise – this tastes just like that “secret” sauce at your favorite burger joint.

âÂ?¢ Marinate boneless chicken breasts in bottled Italian dressing for several hours before grilling – this will make for some moist and juicy chicken.

âÂ?¢ If you’re making barbecued chicken, grill the chicken first and brush on barbecue sauce just for a minute or two at the end of cooking.

â�¢ Doctor up plain baked beans by adding canned black beans, lima beans, kidney beans, crumbled bacon or saut�©ed onions. Pineapple chunks are another delicious addition.

� Make regular brownies or cupcake and frost them with white icing. Let the kids decorate them with red and blue sprinkles, or top them with blueberries and strawberries to make look festive.

� Be sure to have a cooler filled with drinks so your guests have easy access to beverages. Stock up on lots of soda, juice boxes and water bottles. If you plan to serve alcoholic beverages, try to have one or two kinds of beer available as well as wine coolers or a frozen mixed drink.

No party is complete without music. With today’s online music download sites, it’s easier than ever to create a great music mix that will appeal to everyone at your party.

Great American music for your bash:

Born in the U.S.A.- Bruce Springsteen
This Land Is Your Land- Woody Guthrie
Living in America- James Brown
R-O-C-K in the USA- John Mellencamp
Living in the USA- Steve Miller Band
American Child- John Denver

Finally, be sure to supervise children of all ages if there are any fireworks or sparklers around. Even store bought sparklers can be dangerous if they’re not used properly.

Have a safe and happy July 4th holiday!