Ahhh, the 4^th of July … it’s all about kicking back with family and friends and celebrating this great country of ours. Make this year’s celebration memorable. You’ve got all the makings for a fabulous, fun affair with good food, and great company. Be as unique as our country is with your 4^th of July party this year. Let me help you with some tips, facts and more.

Here Are Some Fun Fourth Of July Quotes, Facts & Figures:

• Fourth of July was declared a legal holiday in 1941.
• Our national mascot, the bald eagle, can achieve speeds of nearly 200 miles per hour when making a predatory dive. During a normal flight, the bald eagle can travel up to 30 miles per hour.
• Legend has it that the Chinese made the first fireworks in the 800’s, filling bamboo shoots with gunpowder and exploding them in the New Year with the hope that it would scare away evil spirits.
• The origin of Uncle Sam probably began in 1812, when Samuel Wilson was a meat packer who provided meat to the US Army. The meat shipments were stamped with the initials, U.S. Someone joked that the initials stood for “Uncle Sam”. This joke eventually led to the idea of Uncle Sam symbolizing the United States government.
• Wondering who wrote the Declaration of Independence and who signed the Declaration of Independence? Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence with the help of a selected committee composed of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston. There were 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence which included: John Hancock (president of the Continental Congress), Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry, Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery, Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott, William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris, Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark, Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross, Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean, Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton, William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn, Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton, Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton.
• “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.” Abraham Lincoln
• “My definition of a free society is a society where it is safe to be unpopular.” Adlai Stevenson

Fun Party Goddess! Tips:

• Cocktails for everyone! Serve up some patriotic drinks that everyone can enjoy. Guests can enjoy a “Patriotic Pina Colada” in fun layers of red, white & blue. For the non-drinkers, serve up an ice cold ”Liberty Lemonade” in a cute jar of course! Everyone will be satisfied.
• Serve up a cold one! Your 4th of July celebration isn’t complete without a frosty cold American beer. Be sure to put your own twist on the ice-cold beer by creating your very own labels that read, “Uncle Sam’s Best”.
• Make your centerpieces do double duty! Layer red, white, and blue candy in a glass vase to dress up your table and for guests to enjoy! Include fun items such as a pinwheel or flag for each guest to take home at the end of the event. Party City is the perfect place to get your patriotic decor!
• 4th of July desserts. You can’t go wrong by serving some sweet treats for your guests to enjoy. Dye some white chocolate blue and dip marshmallows on a stick then top with red sprinkles. You can also use this idea with pretzel sticks!
• Timeless photos. Whether you have a photographer at your party or you are the photographer, set up a cute and easy photo booth! Guests will enjoy taking pictures and you will love looking back on them. Include fun props such as American Flags and other patriotic items!

Were you able to catch it live on KTLA?! If not, we had 3-inch mini pies that were just to die for. The “Cutie Pies” on display were from Simplethings Sandwich and Pie Shop.

To read more… go to my Tips for throwing a fabulous 4th of July party.