How to Throw a Fourth of July Barbecue

By eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor

Throw a Fourth of July Barbecue Throw a Fourth of July Barbecue

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What better way to enjoy the Fourth of July than a festive barbecue? So break out the watermelon, shuck the corn on the cob and fire up coals to celebrate Independence Day in style.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Baseballs
  • Flying Discs
  • Patriotic CDs
  • Barbecue Grills
  • Party Supplies
  • Footballs
  • CPSC- Approved Fireworks
  • American Flags
  • Coolers
  • Summer Time Foods
  • Croquet Sets
  • Sunscreen
  • 4th Of July Party Supplies
  • Insect Repellents

Step1
Send out invitations as soon as possible.
Step2
Make the party a family affair by inviting friends and their kids and ask everyone to wear red, white and blue.
Step3
Decorate with a patriotic theme. Purchase tablecloths, plates, cups and napkins in red, white and blue. Remember to mix and match.
Step4
Play patriotic music, such as "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "America the Beautiful" and - of course - Sousa marches, especially "The Stars and Stripes Forever."
Step5
Serve "all-American" foods such as hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, deviled eggs, corn on the cob, watermelon, lemonade, apple pie or gelatin desserts made in patriotic colors. Have a small supply of tofu dogs or veggie burgers for any vegetarians in the group.
Step6
Stock a cooler with cold drinks and consider making fresh-sqeezed lemonade or a big batch of iced tea.
Step7
Play games like baseball, croquet or Capture the Flag with teams comprised of adults and kids. Give small party favors (such as mini-American flags) to the team members who win.
Step8
Have your barbecue early in the afternoon. Afterwards, take the group to a fireworks show, symphony concert or other community event nearby.

Tips & Warnings

  • Remember sunscreen and bug repellent. Have plenty of both on hand to share with guests.
  • If you display one or more American flags on the Fourth, familiarize yourself with flag etiquette.
  • If you plan to use fireworks, make sure they are legal in your area and that you know how to use them safely.

Comments

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Lawher said

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on 7/6/2008 As to the tofu dog and veggie burger suggestion in step 5, I don't invite vegetarians to my 4th of July barbecues. They are unamerican.

thegooch said

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on 7/5/2008 Hmm, this was posted at 2:34am on July 4th, plenty of time for me to read it and follow its advice for the BBQ I was having the very same day. Not! It will come in handy next year, though.

Fike said

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on 7/4/2008 How is "Yankee Doodle Dandy" patriotic? I've never understood it. I get "Row, row, row your boat," since I taught philosophy for 18 years, but explain to me the macaroni reference. Perhaps it's a nod to the huge impact that Italian culture has had on the United States (which, by the way, is not "America" -- Brazil and Mexico and Canada are *parts* of America, too, not to mention much else). -Larry Fike

sraper01 said

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on 6/21/2007 We are about to host our "7th Annual Fourth of July Bash" and here in Cincinnati we also have our annual cornhold tournament. We create a winner's and loser's bracket and everyone has a great time!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 At the last Fourth of July party I went to, someone made a layer cake frosted with whipped cream then made lines with cherry pie filling, and a square of blueberry pie filling in the upper left hand corner with whipped cream squeezed on top for stars.

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eHow Article:  How to Throw a Fourth of July Barbecue

eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor

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