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The classic barbecue on the 4th of July represents an excellent opportunity to enjoy traditional food together with family and friends. If you’re the one responsible for throwing a party for America’s birthday, perhaps you feel a bit overwhelmed by the task. It’s understandable that it’s no easy task to plan for this kind of event, but rest assured that this holiday is more fun to celebrate given the increased likelihood of sunny skies and good-vibes guests.
Even though there’s no universal method to throw a July 4th barbecue, we think there are some great general tips out there that anyone should follow for successful results. Whether a child or adult, everyone’s looking forward to celebrating this treasured day in America’s history. Let’s take a look at the best ideas to make sure your guests will enjoy the barbecue and unwind in the festive atmosphere.
1. Choose a Fitting Theme
Instead of focusing on the food only, you could also consider adding a patriotic theme to make things more exciting at this celebration. For example, try incorporating more creative decorations to make the party stand out. Take the red, white, and blue colors and include them throughout for a nice visual effect.
We like the idea of using disposable items like paper plates, napkins, and cups decorated with a fitting 4th of July theme. To get extra fancy, consider bringing in some miniature American flags that can be placed in jars or flower vases. Fresh flowers can also keep a more pleasant atmosphere. You don’t have to make huge investments in decorations as just these simple touches should suffice.
2. Classic American Menu
While many parties can make use of some more interesting or sophisticated dishes, a low-fuss menu should be ideal for this classic celebration. Considering the hot and humid weather, it’s probably best to stick to simple foods that are easy to cook and enjoyed by everyone. The menu for this BBQ party has lots of traditional items that shouldn’t miss from the table. You don’t have to include all of these, but you should get some inspiration when planning your own barbecue party.
Starters
Jumping straight into the main dishes from the menu doesn’t feel right for this kind of celebration. It’s recommended to start with some appetizers to get things going at the party. There’s no need to put too much effort into complex starter recipes as chips and dips should be the easiest solution to try. Get a varied assortment of chips and make a simple and flavorful salsa. We like this classic salsa recipe that includes roasted cherry tomatoes.
Burgers and Hot Dogs
A staple of any classic Independence Day party, these American foods will be expected by everyone attending. To make things less predictable, you might use this opportunity to try out some mouthwatering recipes with more interesting toppings. Check out these July 4th burgers and hot dogs recipes that will definitely delight your guests.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Another favorite at these BBQ parties, grilled corn on the cob is a highly versatile food that can be prepared with ease. Let guests choose their favorite toppings to dress up their corn with flavorful herb butter or various spices. Try some creative corn on the cob recipes to add a little excitement to your celebration.
Barbecue Ribs
Barbecue ribs are a bit more difficult to grill, but the extra effort of including them in your 4th of July menu could be very rewarding. The partygoers will find it hard to resist the delicious flavor of grilled barbecue ribs. Different types of ribs will cook best using specific methods. Learn how to make barbecue ribs skillfully by following the winning formula adapted for each style of ribs.
Side Dishes
If you craft the main dishes well enough, they’ll be sure to steal the spotlight immediately. That being said, you shouldn’t neglect the side dishes because the meat will often taste better when combined with a potato salad. If you’re looking to create a very tasty spread for the barbecue party, check out some great potato salad recipes.
Desserts
Finally, after the main course has been finished, it’s time to impress your guests with some sweet desserts. One of the best options here would be an ice cream sundae but you shouldn’t forget about the classic American pie. If you want to get more patriotic, consider these festive dessert recipes that include American flag donuts, fireworks cookie cakes, and rice Krispie treats among many other favorites.
3. Assigning Responsibilities
To make things go smoother when it comes to organizing the entire party, it’s recommended to assign a grill master. Pick someone experienced who enjoys cooking the burgers and hot dogs. Someone else should be delegated to stay in charge of the beverages and ice to ensure the partygoers won’t run out of cold drinks.
4. Music
With the help of some appropriate tunes for this event, you can enhance the overall atmosphere. Any backyard barbecue can take advantage of music and the classic July 4th party is no exception. There are some great options out there when it comes to speakers for parties.
Try mounted deck speakers or wireless models. A nice example is this set of outdoor speakers from Amazon that seems perfect for wide dispersal of lovely tunes at the party. Play some American classics such as Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, and John Mellencamp to set the tone at the barbecue event.
5. Incorporating Some Activities
Even though the main focus of the July 4th barbecue will be on the food, you shouldn’t overlook the importance of other activities. Kids will most likely need some entertaining to enjoy the party so planning for some games represents a good idea. Perhaps you could incorporate a patriotic theme to the activities.
One nice example is to make a cornhole board painted with the colors of the national flag. Set up a kid’s corner where they can stay and enjoy their favorite activities or prepare a backyard movie. The adults can also have some fun with a classic game of beer pong using American-flag themed cups.
6. Party Pool
If you have a swimming pool in the backyard, you can also use it to enhance the atmosphere at the July 4th barbecue. Add some pool dye colors such as red and blue types found on Amazon to give it a more patriotic look. These dyes are designed to leave no residues and are perfectly safe for pool swimmers.
7. Bonfire and Illumination
Not all barbecues need a bonfire, but including one at your party can be helpful to make things cozy once the sun goes down. Bonfires are also great to enjoy classic campfire treats such as marshmallows. You can try some more patriotic options like this recipe for colorful marshmallow pops.
Alternatively, if you wish to extend the party at night but don’t want to have a bonfire, consider some more powerful illumination for the backyard area. Being able to see each other is essential when it comes to parties. There’s also the importance of ambiance which can be improved with the help of characteristic lighting. Adding some Edison string lights represents a good example of ambient lighting.
8. Fireworks
The last thing that’s missing from a proper July 4th barbecue is the fireworks show. The fun pops and crackles can still be enjoyed in the residential areas where fireworks are banned. The solution comes from sparklers and other novelty items that achieve a similar effect as fireworks.
9. Relaxation and Enjoyment
Considering all these elements that you need to plan for, it’s understandable that organizing a classic July 4th barbecue can easily become overwhelming. The last piece of advice that you should take is to remember to relax and have fun. The main point of this celebration is to enjoy good food with family and friends.
Try to focus on creating some great memories that you will treasure in the future. Anticipating issues and preparing the party in advance – these are steps to ensure that everything goes smoothly for everyone to have fun.
