As I was thinking of some great recipes to share with you, my mind starting wandering and I was thinking – what do I do every 4th of July? I grill!
So, I went to the store, and bought all sorts of things; corn, chicken, steak, fruit, vegetables, tortillas… you name it!
Happy Independence Day! If you’re looking for activity/event ideas, don’t miss Colorado’s July 4th Celebrations.
You’ll also love these 10 red, white and blue recipes to make your holiday extra festive including grilled corn, BBQ chicken macaroni salad, blueberry, strawberry and jicama salsa and more.
You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. ~Erma Bombeck
Mile High Mamas wishes you the happiest, safest and most enjoyable Independence Day ever!
Fourth of July events in Colorado
Arvada’s “Celebration of the Spirit of America”
July 4: Festivities begin at 3 p.m. with a classic-car show, live music, a military display, children’s activities, booths and games, refreshments and more followed by a fireworks display at 9 p.m. Lutz/Stenger Sports Complex, 10664 W. 58th Ave., 720-898-7400, arvadafestivals.com
Aurora’s “4th of July Spectacular”
July 4: The ninth annual celebration includes performances by U.S. Army Ivy Bands from Fort Carson with the High Altitude Rock Band performing at 6 p.m. followed by the Concert Band at 8 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Food and beverage booths included. Lawn on the west side of the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 Alameda Parkway, auroragov.org. Recommended viewing locations include east of Potomac Street, south of East Sixth Avenue, north of Mississippi Avenue and west of Buckley Road.
Castle Rock’s “Rockin’ the Fourth: Red, White & Boom!”
July 4: The celebration begins at 6 p.m. with the presentation of the colors by a Marine Corps color guard and a military jet flyover. The variety/dance band TC and the Domestic Engineers perform, followed by the Castle Rock Radio Jungle Bus (children’s band) and the New Classics Band. A fireworks show begins at 9:30 p.m. Metzler Ranch Community Park, 4175 Trail Boss Road, crgov.com/rockin
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
July 3-5: The 20th annual outdoor festival features works by 230 juried visual artists working in pottery, fiber, clay, photography, wood and metal along with food and music. Cherry Creek North, cherryarts.org
Civic Center Sounds: Independence Eve Celebration
July 3: The Colorado Symphony Orchestra performs a free community concert featuring patriotic favorites by Copland, Gershwin, Sousa and others, 8:30 p.m. A light show and fireworks display are included. Civic Center, Broadway and Colfax Avenue, coloradosymphony.org
“Colorado Rapids” fourth
July 4: The 15th annual “4thFest Colorado” begins with a free
The 4th of July reminds us adults that we’re in free country! Kids, not so much . . .
Look at the flag – get small ones if you can. Colors? Stars? All have meaning, did you know?
The stripes = 13 = the number of original colonies
The stars = 50 = the number of states in our country
The colors = red, white, blue = Red: valor; White: innocence; Blue = Justice
*If you want, say together the Pledge of Allegiance: I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic, for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Think of all the activities for stripes and stars in red, white and blue! Many websites will tell you step by step instructions. I’m a big fan of providing materials and letting your kids create something from their imagination. So, my approach is to cut up strips of paper (stripes) and cut out stars, and let your kids create something marvelous. Provide glue, tape, scissors, and markers.
Links for more fun:
Fun School – games, printables and crafts for the 4th of July
Picture Scrambler Puzzles
Stars and Stripes toast
Family Fun’s guide to crafts, food and fun
What are some of your favorite traditions/activities?