The 4th of July. One of my favorite holidays. It happens smack dab in the middle of summer and the weather is usually magnificent. This year the 4th is on Monday which is even better. That means an extra long weekend to enjoy time off from work, family, and holiday celebrations.
My rule for holiday weekends is no chores, just fun, fun, fun. I have 7 fun ways for you to enjoy this years Independence day.
First though, let’s talk about the history of the 4th of July and why we celebrate it.
History of the 4th of July
The 4th of July commemorates the day when the thirteen colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. This was a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, and it is an event that we should all take pride in.
Every year, on July 4th we celebrate America’s hard-earned freedom and commemorate the signing of The Declaration of Independence which happened in 1776.
Though we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th, the official document The Declaration of Independence wasn’t actually signed until August 2, 1776. The founding fathers voted for independence from Britain on July 2, 1776. Two days later the Continental Congress adopted the document, which is why we celebrate on the 4th.
July 4th did not become an official holiday until much later in 1870.
How do we Honor America on the 4th of July?
For many of us, this holiday is a time to gather with family and friends, enjoy a cookout, and watch fireworks. But while the 4th of July is a time to relax and have fun, it’s also important to remember what this holiday is all about.
America is still the land of opportunity and freedom. This July 4th weekend is the perfect time to celebrate all that our country has to offer. From the Founding Fathers to the present day, America has always been a nation of innovators and dreamers. We are a country of immigrants, a melting pot of cultures and traditions.
While we may not always agree on everything, we are united by our love of liberty and pursuit of happiness. So, this Independence Day, let us honor America and all that she stands for. Let us come together as one people and celebrate the great experiment that is the United States of America.
And let us renew our commitment to defending the values that our nation was founded on. Fly the American flag, wear red, white, and blue, or learn about the founding fathers. These are all great ways to honor the 4th of July.
Ok so now we know what happened and we know how to honor this day. Let’s talk about the 7 best ways to celebrate this weekend.
Gather Family and Friends Together
With the extra day, this is the perfect weekend to gather family and friends. Take some time for family one of the three days this weekend. Have a backyard barbeque, a cook off or bake off, or have everyone bring a dish and have a potluck. Eat outside in the glorious sunshine. Plan dinner early enough so that everyone can just sit and talk. This is one of my favorite activities.
My family started our celebration tonight. Nine of our extended family members gathered at a local café for an early dinner. We had a great time telling stories and laughing and sharing good food. We will meet again on Monday for an even larger celebration.
Watch a 4th of July Parade
One of the best ways to celebrate is to attend a local parade. Many towns and cities host their own parade, complete with patriotic floats and marching bands. This is a great way to show your support for your country and enjoy some festive fun. Attending a parade is also a great way to meet your neighbors and connect with your community.
If you are lucky enough to live in one of these cities, make plans to attend this years festivities. You can often find out about the parade and its route by doing an internet search for your city.
Try to go a little early to get a good viewing spot and be sure to take some chairs or a blanket to sit on and some ice cold water.
Make some 4th of July Decorations
With my rule of no chores and an extra day off of work, you will have lots of time to craft some decorations. Here are some ideas:
- A red, white, and blue centerpiece
- A patriotic wreath
- A colorful banner
- Windsocks
- Garland
Visit my favorite site The Prudent Penny Pincher for everything 4th of July or red, white, and blue crafts.
Attend a Sporting Event
The 4th of July weekend is a perfect weekend to attend a sporting event. You could attend a professional event or a child’s tournament. Either way, this is a great way to spend a few hours this weekend. If you have never attended an outdoor sporting event, give it a try you might find a new obsession. Following are a few suggestions:
- Baseball Game
- Car Races
- Soccer
- Golf
- Tennis
- Softball
- Beach Volleyball
Be sure to take extra money for treats and food. There is nothing better than a hotdog and soda at an outdoor event. Often times when the event happens on the 4th of July there will be fireworks after the event is over. For information on after game events visit the venue or club website.
Play in the Water
Whether it is a sprinkler in your backyard, your local municipal pool, or a lake or river there is plenty of fun to be had where water is concerned.
July 4th is the perfect time to make a splash.
Some activities to consider:
- play water balloon dodgeball
- make water balloon piñatas
- run through a sprinkler obstacle course
- go swimming at a neighborhood or city pool
- take the boat out for a spin
- rent a Jet Ski
- take a dinner or scenic cruise
When the temperatures climb the ideal place to be is on the water. So, get out there and jump in.
Don’t forget the sunscreen though, you can’t live life fully if you are burnt to a crisp. Just sayin.
Crash a Party
Well not really crash, it’s probably best if you are invited.
For many years my sister has hosted a ginormous 4th of July party. This party has followed her on her various moves throughout the years. Even when they were temporarily living in an apartment the party happened.
She used to send out invites and assign certain dishes, but does not do this any longer. Because this event has been a family tradition for so many, people just show up and magically there is always a mix of good food and fun. This has become a wonderful tradition for all of those that attend.
For those of you that know me personally or know my sister, I’m sure I’ll see you there on Monday.
Anyway, all kidding aside, if you have been invited to a 4th of July shindig. Go and have fun. It is a good time to meet new people and reconnect with folks that you have not seen for a while.
View a Fireworks Celebration
The quintessential culminating event for any 4th of July celebration or observance.
The best fireworks displays are typically large city displays. Often times you can tune to a particular radio station in the area and listen to patriotic music as you are viewing the colorful explosions in the night sky.
In order to get a good viewing spot, be sure to get to the event early to beat the crowd.
If you have never been to this event and don’t know where to go, ask your neighbors and friends, or do an internet search for more information.
If don’t live near a city, or there is not a large fireworks production planned for your area, you can still have fun with individual fireworks. There are designated firework stands throughout the country that you can buy items like firecrackers or sparklers.
Please follow all rules and regulations for your area concerning small scale fireworks. Also, if you are lighting a variety of these items, be sure to have water nearby in case of that occasional mishap and be good neighbors by cleaning the leftover residue left in the street.
If you want more ideas visit my post about summer fun here.
So, as we all celebrate this Fourth of July, take a few minutes to remember all that our country stands for. The freedoms we enjoy every day and the promise of equality and opportunity for all. Let’s also remember those who have fought and continue to fight for these ideals – both past and present. And finally, let’s reflect on how we can each contribute to making America even better in the future.
Have a happy and safe Independence Day!
