The Fourth of July Holiday (Independence Day) is a great weekend for hosting a back yard BBQ, taking a trip to the Smoky Mountains, or attending a local festival and parade. People often have traditions relating to holidays and Independence Day isn’t any different. The following will provide a few ideas in the event you don’t have a traditional activity planned.

Attend a Festival

Local communities, big cities, and farm communities come together to celebrate Independence Day. It is a day filled with excitement from eating apple pie, corn on the cob, and watermelon to playing yard games or swimming. The night usually culminates with a fireworks display symbolizing the “bombs bursting in air.”

To find a local event you can scan the web. Many sites for your area or major cities around your area can be found on Google. Simply type in a few key words such as “local fourth of July events in Myrtle Beach” or “Festivals in Gainesville, Florida”, or “Firework displays in South Dakota.”

Host a BBQ

If you aren’t big on traveling during the holidays then you can host your own back yard BBQ. This is especially fun if you have a swimming pool!

You can invite people over and enjoy the day at home grilling, swimming, and playing games. Many people also like to make homemade ice cream to celebrate the 4th.

Go to an Amusement Park

Many parks offer great firework displays at the end of the day during the Fourth of July holiday. You and your family could have fun in parks such as Walt Disney World Orlando, Florida, Six Flags over Georgia, Atlanta, or Cedar Fair Entertainment Company’s Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. This is a great option if you already own a season pass, but can be an exciting day trip if you don’t.

Be sure to pack a cooler to keep in your car full of bottled water, Gatorade, and snacks. You should also consider blankets or lawn chairs if you are staying for the fireworks.

Launch Your Own Fireworks

Depending on what state you live in, shooting off fireworks will have limitations. Small pyrotechnics can be fun and create excitement for all involved. Use caution and always play it safe with fireworks.

The use of all or certain consumer fireworks is legal in 45 states. But many of the laws are outdated or not enforced. Call your local fire or police station if you have questions concerning the use of fireworks in your area.

A few common fireworks include sparklers, snaps, smoke bombs and glow snakes. Other smaller fireworks common for use include bottle rockets, small mortars or shell kits, and cakes. The use of these will provide a great variety and light up the sky in the back yard for the celebration.

Follow the rules on the packaging, never point an explosive at someone, and use caution and common sense when working with and around fireworks and your celebration can go off without any problems.

Attend a Major Independence Day Celebration

Major metropolitan areas or national landmarks will host grand Independence Day celebrations. If you are taking a family vacation or simply live close to the Statue of Liberty (NYC/Hudson River), Mount Rushmore, or other major areas look for weekend long celebrations to entertain you. Live bands, military flyovers, and fireworks are often associated with the festivities.

Celebrating Independence Day is a great time to spend with friends and family. People off all ages enjoy the freedoms we share as Americans and the Fourth of July is the day we truly get to show it! Happy Fourth of July!