July 4TH Celebration - The Best Summer Party Ideas

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Shop early for all your party items, so you aren't stuck running out when the guests are arriving. Provide the meat and a few snacks, and have everyone bring a side dish, buns, chips or drinks. Be sure to keep a list of who is bringing what, so you're not eating burgers without buns. Decide in advance if you're making homemade ice cream. If so make sure you have plenty of those ingredients and good freezers to make enough for the crowd. If someone is bringing ice cream, make sure you have allotted sufficient freezer space.

At your 4th of July party, set up all kinds of activities, depending on your budget. Set up games in which everyone can participate. Bocce Ball, Horseshoes, Ring Toss.

Here are more suggestions:

Moon Walk (rentals usually includes delivery, setup, and pick up)
Apple Dunking,
Fireworks (follow laws and safety guidelines in your area)
Cakewalk,
Face Painting,
Hay Ride,
Games, Prizes,
Music,
Food,
Late night movies,
Making ice cream
Card & board games, and more.

The best ever party begins with thinking about what your guests will have the most fun doing together. Get everyone in on the planning and have a great time!

As you read this, listen for the rhythm of the drums in the cadence of the words. You can "feel" this parade!

THE FLAG GOES BY

Hats off!
Along the street there comes
A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums,
A flash of color beneath the sky:
Hats off! The flag is passing by!
Blue and crimson and white it shines,
Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines.
Hats off! The colors before us fly;
But more than the flag is passing by.
Sea-fights and land-fights, grim and great,
Fought to make and to save the State:
Weary marches and sinking ships;
Cheers of victory on dying lips;
Days of plenty and years of peace;
March of a strong land's swift increase;
Equal justice, right, and law,
Stately honor and reverend awe;
Sign of a nation, great and strong
Toward her people from foreign wrong:
Pride and glory and honor,--all
Live in the colors to stand or fall.
Hats off! Along the street there comes
A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums;
And loyal hearts are beating high:
Hats off! The Flag is passing by!