Fourth of July Tips

If you are planning on going to a 4th of July parade remember the following things – sun screen, a hat, bottled water, ear plugs (those sirens can be really loud when your are right next to them), a blanket to lawn chairs to sit in, a small American flag to wave and a big smile.

Fouth of July Gift Ideas

You don’t have to spend a fortune if you are having a party at your house for the fourth. Making your own decorations is a great place to start. You can find hundreds of ideas for great decorations online.

If you are planning on shooting fireworks, please be extremely careful. Click here for some great fireworks safety tips!

To keep kids entertained – and grownups as well – you can have crafts and games with a patriotic theme. Crafts can be making a picture frame, or coloring in pictures of the flag. Games can be trivia games about US history.

Check out the internet for thousands of patriotic themed food ideas. You can find everything from appetizers, to the main course, to fun deserts and drinks.

Photographing fireworks can be tricky, but a few ways to help you get the picture include: picking a spot with no trees, buildings or people in your way, using a tripod or something to help brace your camera, and a whole lot of luck.

If you are entertaining guests, plan accordingly if you are barbecuing and/or grilling. Make sure you have an option available if you are serving any vegetarian guests!

Be EXTREMELY careful if you are travelling for the Fourth of July. The roadways are going to be very clogged and you never know who is going to be driving despite having had too much to drink earlier. Watch the road when you are driving!

Make sure you have plenty of activities planned, and some that can be done both indoors and outdoors. You want to be prepared in case it rains!

If you are barbecuing or grilling for the Fourth, make sure you follow all the "common sense" safety rules. Wash every plate and utensil that has come in contact with uncooked meat, do not use the same plate or cutting board for cooked and uncooked meat, make sure food off the grill is properly cooked (nobody likes their chicken medium rare!), and make sure leftovers are properly stored and refrigerated.