How to: The Perfect 4th of July BBQ

July 4th is tomorrow and we know that everybody wants to throw the prefect party. But how? Independence day is a time to celebrate America’s freedom and what better way then with the classic barbeque hang out. Like every good BBQ, we will need good food (obviously), Entertainment, Games, and Decorations. While there is always that option of going out to the Tempe Town Lake and catching some fireworks, the cost of the ticket, food, and uncomfortable seating is just not worth it for some of us. In addition, if you can see fireworks from your backyard, why go out? Learn how to throw a great 4th of July BBQ with tips from the party experts in Arizona!

Food

There is nothing more classic then the American Cheeseburger and Hot Dog. When your guests arrive at your party most of them would like to walk around and talk. Chances are they will not be doing a lot of sitting down. Try to have your food cater to this idea. Make small appetizers or something that can easily be carried while you are standing. Try avoiding foods that use a fork and a knife.

Here are some Ideas you could try:

• Sliders
• Hot Dogs
• Jalapeño Poppers wrapped in bacon
• BBQ Chicken Wings

These are all foods that can easily be cooked on a grill and served on simple plates.

 

Entertainment

This portion can be a bit tricky. Every crowd is different and we can’t just say “put on some classic American Country music and you should be fine.”

If you plan to have dancing with a younger generation expect to play some Pop Music. Make room for the dance floor and idolize it. Make that area well lit while the others are more dimmed and also do not put the dance floor off to the side but make it the main attraction. Nothing is worse then having an empty dance floor.

If you plan to just have background music, plug in an Internet Radio like Pandora or iHeartRadio. Let your guests choose the station but do not allow for volume control or it will end up too loud by the end of the party.

Games

Games are just a way to keep your guests entertained. The perfect type of game for a backyard party is something that does not take up a lot of room, is simple, and preferably played in groups.
Some Ideas we would recommend:

• Bean Bag toss
• Horse Shoes
• Darts
• Or a simple water balloon fight

Decorations

This is one of the most important sections and should be the main aspect of your party. If your event is during the day, it will be a lot easier for you. If it is at night, you will have to spend a lot of time on lighting. A well-lit area will seem a lot more elegant and it will set the proper mood.

A simple lighting trick that has always stood out at events is Lighting Strings. Amazon sells them cheap however, they always pop up on the Phoenix Craigslist Page.

Also, do not forget about the classic Tiki Torch! Once again, Amazon has them for cheap but practically any store around the valley will carry them.

As far as decorating the rest, besides the lighting, make sure to use a lot of Red, White, and Blue. Some items you can get include Plates, Cups, and Ribbons. There is no standard for decorating a Forth of July party. Just stick to whatever comes to your imagination.

Finally, make sure everything you do, whether it is food or decoration, is low maintenance. There is nothing worse then a stressed out host or having to fix things up during your party. Have fun and Enjoy!

-Dejan Zelic