Great Ideas for this Fourth of July

America's 250th Anniversary

The United States Semiquincentennial will be the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. Need a refresher course on American History? Visit American 250 Atlas an independent, nonpartisan educational guide built specifically for this purpose. Read on for ways to celebrate!

Fourth of July Events​

There's plenty of activities planned throughout the Triad for our Nations' Semiquincentennial. Check out these sites for Triad area Fourth of July events:

Free Events - WXII News

Fireworks - Triad Mom's on Main 

Fourth of July Picnic

Festive Decor - Your table will set the mood for a fun day inside or out. Amazon has plenty of decorations in stock for next day delivery here: Amazon.com. If you prefer to shop locally try Hobby Lobby for items you may not find at Walmart or Target.

Games for the Fourth - Don't forget to plan activities! Purchase Party Games here: Amazon.com. Here are some fun DIY Games for the Fourth of July:

• Red, White, and Blue Water Balloon Relay: Teams race carrying water balloons without popping them, with red, white, and blue water for a festive twist.

• Stars and Stripes Obstacle Course: Set up stations like hopping through hula hoops, carrying eggs on spoons, or spinning around a bat for a fun backyard challenge.

• Patriotic Tug of War: Divide into “Team Stars” and “Team Stripes” for a classic tug-of-war

• Firecracker Tag: Musical freeze game where one player is the “Firecracker” and others must freeze when the music stops.

• Star-Spangled Spoon Relay: Balance small items on a spoon and race to the finish line.

• Red, White, and Blue Balloon Pop: Pop balloons in patriotic colors to win points or prizes.

• Patriotic Ring Toss: Use painted bottles and rope rings for a simple backyard carnival game.

• Patriotic Sack Race: Hop in red, white, and blue sacks to the finish line.

• Three-Legged Race: Pair kids or adults and tie legs together for a fun relay.

• Patriotic Scavenger Hunt: Hide red, white, and blue items around the yard for kids to find.

• USA-Themed Flip Cup: Classic party game with a patriotic twist Sarah Scoop.

• Hot Dog Eating Contest: Friendly competition to see who can eat the most hot dogs in a set time.

• Patriotic Chalk Obstacle Course: Draw stars, zigzags, and circles for kids (or adults) to hop, spin, and tiptoe through.

Packable Recipes for the Best Fourth of July Picnic

Nothing says the Fourth of July like spending the day at the park all day until the fireworks to off at night. If you're away from your grill for mealtime, it's a good idea to pack a picnic for your Independence Day celebration. Delish.com has some of the best Fourth of July picnic ideas and recipes including portable sandwiches, salads, skewers, and essential summer sides like potato salad and pasta salad, or try something like gnocchi antipasto salad.

Fourth of July Desserts

Whatever you do, don't forget about drinks and dessert! Round out your meal with some of our favorite packable picnic desserts like our cheesecake-swirled brownies or these all-American cherry pie slab bars, then load up the cooler with some homemade lemonade and iced tea. Let this Fourth of July be your most delicious celebration ever!