by Joan Burns, CSEP, Sampson & Associates,
Meeting and Event Planners

Here are some quick easy tips to keep in the spirit:

• Plan to attend the Fireworks show! It is surprising how many folks wait until last minute to attend!

• Have an old-fashioned barbecue with good old American food like hot dogs, potato salad and cherry pie.  Go back to basics for a day.

• Decorate your backyard in patriotic colors: red, white, and blue.

• Tie the silverware in blue napkins with red and white ribbons.

• Use flags as centerpieces with red, white and blue candles.

• Get the neighborhood or community involved!

• Organize a bike parade.  Have them decorate their bikes in patriotic colors and round up some judges.  Make sure you mark out a parade route through the neighborhood or community involved.   Leave the option open for trikes, strollers, wagons, scooters, skate boards, wheel chairs…anything with wheels and without a motor.  It will be interesting to see how creative people can be.

• At the end point of the parade have a pot luck Barbeque or maybe just dessert and lemonade.

• Ask some of your local military service men and women, active or retired, to participate in your event.  Maybe you can recognize their service with a short “Thank you” speech.

• Try to involve the local police or fire department.  Perhaps your fire department can have a fire engine go along the parade route.  You never know until you ask!

• If you celebrate the 4^th of July with a large family (maybe a family reunion), I saw a suggestion to have the children create a patriotic skit that represents a historic time in our country’s history  to present to the rest of the family members. 

• Companies can create the spirit of patriotism by letting people decorate their work space or if possible asking workers to wear red, white and blue on a designated day. Of course, this is a great time to bring back the company picnic!  Using a local park and asking for everyone to bring a dish to pass and just playing an old-fashioned game of softball will be cost effective and certainly will be a way to say “Thank you” for a job well done!

• The 4^th of July can also be a great time for a Fundraiser.  Nothing is more fun than a carnival with pie-eating contests, corn on the cob, or a dunk tank!  In many cities there are companies that set-up carnival games and small rides or jumps for the kids. If the carnival proceeds are going to a specific charity and there is a little effort in the advertising, this activity can be successful, fun and give people something to remember.

Now is the time to start planning for your 4^th of July Event.  Just remember the basics. Set a date, set a budget and decide on who the guests will be. But most importantly, show your patriotisms and have fun!

Joan Burns on Blend Radio
Sharing her tips on planning a Patriotic Party, Joan was a featured guest on Champagne Sundays variety radio on May 17, 2009. To meet the rest of the guests and listen to the entire show, please click here. To listen to Joan's interview, please double click on the Play Button below. 

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