4th of July Party

Summer has officially begun. July is right around the corner bringing in the date for our nation's Independence Day. The 4th of July is celebrated annually commemorating our independence from Great Britain.

John Adams wrote to his wife, "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

So....we, the patriotic citizens of this country-the country that was founded on the original principles-not the country based on corruption and greed, we the people certainly do participate in commemorating the 4th of July as a day of deliverance and solemnize this day with pomp and parade, shows, games, sports, maybe not necessarily guns, but bells, bonfires, and fireworks displays nationwide.

Let's plan our own gathering.

Neighborhood Block Parties:
These are traditionally a fun gathering of those who you reside near. You will have to contact your local police department and petition to block off your road. This takes a week. If you are having a live band or DJ, you may have to file for a noise ordinance waiver. The county or police department will assist you in correctly filing in the area of which you reside.

Tents: Rent tents to offer shade, shelter if the weather begins to add precipitation, and to keep the buffet from spoiling.

Tables and Chairs: Decipher how many (approximately) will be in attendance and add an additional table with 8 chairs to cover for spill overs.

Decorations: Red, white, and blue. Purchase pleated fan flags for draping around your home, on the side of your buffet tables, outside of your tents...etc Purchase waiving flags on sticks for the children and adults to wave as the block parade passes by....there are a plethora of patriotic conceptions for purchase. A couple of great links are:
http://www.united-states-flag.com/
http://www.patriotic-flags.com/
http://www.flagco.com/

For all of your party rental needs, contact your local party rental supply stores. Each town has at least one rental supply house renting anything from tents, tables, chairs, table cloths, buffet tables, to a variety of other party accessories.

Organize fun activities for all to join in and play. Volleyball, hula hoop contests, pie eating contests, sack races, three-legged races, water melon eating contest, best BBQ sauce entries, best potato salad entries, best jam entry, etc...get creative and have a ton of "interacting" events for you to better know your neighbors. The importance is in your organization of these events and the compensation for participating.

During your party planning stage, contact local businesses soliciting free prizes in exchange for advertising their business to your neighbors. Some vendors will offer gift certificates, percentages off purchase, car washes, spa products, a two for one deal, items under $50.00, etc...these items become your prizes for your "interacting events". In exchange for such altruism, you will offer extensive selling of their businesses to your local neighbors.

Orchestrating the food. You and your planning committee will have met a few weeks prior to the party. Some of your food may be donated through a local vendor in exchange for partial payment and advertising, i.e. a barbecue vendor may donate fifty pounds of BBQ beef, chicken, and or pork. Other options are to buy in bulk at the local Costco or Sam's club. Slow cook your brisket, purchase pallets of water, soda, and other beverages, and bulk purchase other ingredients for remaining traditional 4th of July celebration consumables.

Decide on whom is making what:
BBQ
Potato Salad
Leafy Green Salad
Cut Watermelon
Fruit Salad
Baked Beans
Rolls
Corn on the Cob
Pies
Cobbler
Whatever you wish to have on your menu.

You will need coolers for ice, water, sodas, beer, etc...

In your invitations, make certain you include the grand prize for the parade entrants. Each household must enter a parade float of which the younger inhabitants of the household are responsible for displaying in the parade. Set your criteria on patriotism, originality, and workmanship. We citizens of the United States took great pride in craftsmanship and innovation...let us see if we cannot resurrect these fundamental beliefs and behaviors.

Make certain you have ample sunscreen, great music, a great attitude, and plenty of assistance. This is a party of which a group effort makes for the party's success. If you have party participants who are there to be served, ask them to help out in a specific area...i.e., clear some plates, cut the pies or cakes, whatever, most people will be willing to help out.

Celebrate the 4th of July with a bit of history. Prior to the parade, having assigned an orator, have this person grab a microphone and welcome all who came to the party. Have this person speak briefly but concisely about our country's history and why we commemorate this special day. Explain the reason for the parade and mark the beginning of the parade with the beginning of patriotic music. Each participant will have a brief write-up of their entry of which the parade orator will share with the parade viewers. There will be a panel of judges critiquing the float criteria and a grand prize, first, second, and third prize will be offered to the parade participants.

Block parties that are well organized usually last for the full day capped with the grand finale of fireworks. Most suburban environments forbid firework displays. Know your neighborhoods (county and state) laws. If you are allowed sparklers, cones, and such, then a ground display is a wonderful OOoh and Aaah moment. If you are forbidden to ignite one Chinese factory made light extravaganza, then plan for everyone to conjure at the local county fireworks display.

While planning this event, the neighbors will have to assess what monetary donations is acceptable for each household. Parties like this usually carry a $100.00 donation per household and average with twenty households' involvement. A dj, tents, tables, chairs, decorations, edibles, ice and beverages add up quickly. The prizes will be donated, but the wrapping and bows will not. Think of everything and edit where needed. Be safe and Happy 4th of July!