After missing out on celebrations last year, we are all excited to get back to our Fourth of July parties and holiday traditions. See below for some MAA Independence Day traditions and favorite BBQ recipes!
Traditions
Fireworks, hotdogs, parades, icepops - Fourth of July weekend is notorious for its festivities and traditions. We asked around the MAA office for everyone’s favorite thing to do to celebrate this weekend. Here are the answers:
Whitney loves to eat hotdogs and watch her hometown firework show in Idaho Falls. It’s the biggest firework display west of the Mississippi!!
Reed likes to walk in a small-town parade in Glen Arbor, Michigan. The energy is infectious, and it somehow feels like the size of the town grew tenfold overnight. Throwing candy at kids, singing patriotic songs - what’s not to like!
Rebecca celebrates by eating boiled peanuts with a bud light lime on the beach somewhere in South Carolina. All about enjoying a beautiful place outdoors on this holiday with my favorite snack. What a view!
Madison’s dad usually hosts her whole family for a swim and cook out. That didn’t happen last year, but she is going home to Illinois to participate this year! Every time the Oakley’s get together it’s a riot.
Jacob, like Reed, loves small town Fourth of July parades! Campaigning around the country gives you the opportunity to see towns that most people never think to stop in.
Throw in a parade that brings the people together? Count Jacob in!
Emma’s favorite Fourth of July pastime is watching the 1996 classic film Independence Day with her family. While its not a conventional celebration of the holiday, the movie has the same namesake and a very inspiring storyline. 10/10 would recommend watching it this weekend, especially if your BBQ gets cancelled due to weather.
Molly participates in the Lakeside Ohio bike parade with her kids! Nothing says patriotic quite like a red, white, and blue tutu!
Stephen and his family celebrate Independence Day in Maine. They spend the day on and in the water before enjoying a big family dinner.
“Swimming, sailing, lobster, and my mother's fried chicken, what's not to love?!”
Festive recipes
If you are struggling to come up with crowd favorites or last-minute remember you were supposed to bring something to the party, here are some recommendations:
Southern Style Mac and Cheese from Basics with Babish
Boiled Peanuts compliments of She Wears Many Hats
Red, White, and Blueberry Caprese Salad from Brit+Co
Star-Spangled Lemon Icebox Pie by Taste of Home
