With the 4^th of July right around the corner, now is the time to start planning on a celebration that will embrace patriotism, honor the United States of America and be fun!

Here are some quick easy tips to keep in the spirit:

• Plan to attend the Fireworks show! It is surprising how many folks wait until last minute to attend!

• Have an old-fashioned barbecue with good old American food like hot dogs, potato salad and cherry pie.  Go back to basics for a day.

• Decorate your backyard in patriotic colors: red, white, and blue.

• Tie the silverware in blue napkins with red and white ribbons.

• Use flags as centerpieces with red, white and blue candles.

• Get the neighborhood or community involved!

• Organize a bike parade.  Have them decorate their bikes in patriotic colors and round up some judges.  Make sure you mark out a parade route through the neighborhood or community involved.   Leave the option open for trikes, strollers, wagons, scooters, skate boards, wheel chairs…anything with wheels and without a motor.  It will be interesting to see how creative people can be.

• At the end point of the parade have a pot luck Barbeque or maybe just dessert and lemonade.

• Ask some of your local military service men and women, active or retired, to participate in your event.  Maybe you can recognize their service with a short “Thank you” speech.

• Try to involve the local police or fire department.  Perhaps your fire department can have a fire engine go along the parade route.  You never know until you ask!

• If you celebrate the 4^th of July with a large family (maybe a family reunion), I saw a suggestion to have the children create a patriotic skit that represents a historic time in our country’s history  to present to the rest of the family members. 

• Companies can create the spirit of patriotism by letting people decorate their work space or if possible asking workers to wear red, white and blue on a designated day. Of course, this is a great time to bring back the company picnic!  Using a local park and asking for everyone to bring a dish to pass and just playing an old-fashioned game of softball will be cost effective and certainly will be a way to say “Thank you” for a job well done!

• The 4^th of July can also be a great time for a Fundraiser.  Nothing is more fun than a carnival with pie-eating contests, corn on the cob, or a dunk tank!  In many cities there are companies that set-up carnival games and small rides or jumps for the kids. If the carnival proceeds are going to a specific charity and there is a little effort in the advertising, this activity can be successful, fun and give people something to remember.

Now is the time to start planning for your 4^th of July Event.  Just remember the basics. Set a date, set a budget and decide on who the guests will be. But most importantly, show your patriotisms and have fun!