There’s nothing that says summer like a Fourth of July party. Independence Day celebrations wouldn’t be as joyous if the Declaration had been signed in February! As it is, our festivities feature sun, outdoor activities and barbecues, and the revelries are topped off with fireworks crackling across a balmy summer sky.

If you’re hosting this year’s patriotic event, you’ll want to set the stage for a party that no one will soon forget! That means good food. It includes plenty of ways for your guests to participate in games and activities, or just chat and relax. It calls for furnishings, decor and even tableware that celebrate America!

Party Choices for Everyone

Some people are fine sitting with a drink and chatting, but others, especially the younger folk, will want something to do! If you’re lucky enough to have a pool or a lakefront, you have a head start, but every back yard can feature a flurry of fun and games. Break out the ones from your basement, borrow from friends or pick up some new ones: badminton, ladder toss, cornhole, giant Jenga and horseshoes are just a few choices.

Even the most avid of participants will eventually want to sit down for a drink and a snack! Its best to have a variety of outdoor seating choices, including patio chairs, outdoor sofas and other deep seating, and some versatile Adirondack chairs. Some outdoor modular sofas allow you to mix, match and separate for an array of seating arrangements. It’s good to have a few folding chairs or chaise lounges in reserve.

If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your patio furniture, July 4 is an ideal time to take a fresh look at American-made outdoor products! Consider Homecrest, manufactured in Wadena, Minnesota, or the industrial-quality offerings of Tropitone. Be sure to include outdoor tables where your friends can set their plates and cups.

It’s the season of red, white and blue, and you can pridefully include those colors in your outdoor setting! You might even choose a blue outdoor sofa and festoon it for the occasion with red and white outdoor pillows. Umbrellas and outdoor rugs provide another opportunity to incorporate the colors that Yankee Doodle would approve of, and they brighten up your outdoor space the rest of the season as well.

You could string red, white and blue lights for illumination as evening rolls in. You might even get the kids involved in creating some patriotic place mats. Make the celebration complete with stars-and-stripes themed paper plates and cups.

Let’s Eat!

Fourth of July dining calls for something on the grill. You’ll never go wrong with hamburgers and hot dogs accompanied by classic sides such as potato salad and coleslaw.

But what about presenting some unexpected feastables alongside the traditional cookout fare? The time might be right to take your outdoor culinary chops to a new level with the Big Green Egg. What is the Big Green Egg? You could call it an outdoor grill, and it is that, but it’s also so much more! It’s the ultimate backyard cooking machine, and you can use it as a smoker and even an outdoor oven.

Pizza may have originated in Italy, but we Americans have made it ours! With a few optional Big Green Eggcessories such as a pizza stone, the Big Green Egg can serve up this pepperoni and mushroom treat. Over the past few decades chicken wings have found their way onto party menus, and these barbecued wings use the Egg’s own scrumptious sauces.

The Evening of a Perfect Day

As darkness draws near and you anticipate fireworks, the kids (and grown-ups too!) will be thrilled to top off the day with a s’mores party. That tasty gathering is fun and easy with a fire pit or fire table set. The best fire tables are low-maintenance and have guards to protect the young ones from wind-blown flames. And you can set plates and drinks right on the table surface!

There’s no reason to put away your Independence Day outdoor setup on July 5. The decor is suitable for Memorial Day, Flag Day, Labor Day or any time you’re just happy to be an American and delighted to entertain friends and family in your back yard.