It’s that time of year again, backyard party season. Nostalgic smells of sweet corn and summer breeze fill the air as we gather with the ones we love. Follow these tips from Blain’s Farm & Fleet to ensure that you are ready to host a spectacular Independence Day cookout!
Nothing can put a damper on a backyard party like an unkempt yard. Ensure that you prepare your lawn and yard space so that it is thriving upon the arrival of your guests by fertilizing, trimming, and edging as needed. Follow this guide to learn what you need to do to get your yard in tip-top shape.
Imagine this, you’re hosting a yard party, and your guests start to arrive, only for you to come to the gut-wrenching realization that you completely forgot about seating! This unfortunate situation has happened to all too many of us, but with a little preparation, you can avoid this nightmare altogether. Make sure you set up enough tables and chairs for your guests to eat and socialize comfortably. Depending on the number of people you’re expecting, you can always rent more chairs and tables. It won’t break your budget, and it’s always better to have too much rather than not enough when it comes to seating.
If you’re anything like me, some of the best memories of 4th of July cookouts come from the amazing food and drinks! You can go a lot of different directions here, but who doesn’t love firing up the grill for the 4th of July? Once you know how many guests you’re expecting, you can plan what you want to do for food. Grilling is also a great option if you’re catering to guests with wide-ranging food preferences. Cleanup is always quick and easy too!
Don’t forget about why you’re gathering; it’s the 4th of July! Go all out on this all-American day by hanging up those white Christmas lights gathering dust in the basement and throw some red, white, and blue streamers over them to give your yard that perfect patriotic touch. If you want to go that extra mile, you can even make some red, white, and blue-themed cocktails for the adults and make some homemade USA-themed popsicles for the kids.
Yard games are an absolute must if you want to host a next-level 4th of July cookout! Whether it’s bean bag toss, bocce ball, or ladder toss, yard games will be a hit with your guests of all ages. Check out our guide on lawn games so that you have plenty of options for those who love some competition in their life.
Don’t get me wrong, yard games are great, but planning a group game or activity can be a great way to mix things up. Some fun and simple group activities include volleyball, limbo, and the very exciting egg toss! If possible, try to organize your group activity or game around the middle of the party so that your guests can get settled in and make their rounds.
One of the best parts about the 4th of July is seeing beautiful firework shows. While we always suggest going to the local show in your community, we also know how exciting sparklers and fountains can be when used safely. If you choose to buy fireworks and have them at your gathering, be sure to follow your community guidelines and enjoy them safely and responsibly.
