The fourth of July has long been a day reserved for celebrating the birth of American independence. Since it is a federal holiday, many people do not have to work and can spend the day with family and friends. There are many ways to enjoy this day — have a picnic, attend a parade, concert, festival, ballgame and, of course, check out local displays of fireworks. Here are some fun ways you can celebrate July fourth this year.
Host a Patriotic Gathering and Potluck
Invite friends over for an afternoon and evening of patriotic fun. Encourage guests to go “all in” with a patriotic-themed day, including wearing red, white and blue, bringing a traditional American dish or one with hues of our flag, and listening to patriotic tunes. Set up fun games to play outside like badminton, horseshoes, ladder ball and corn hole. You may want to set up sprinklers, splash pads and a kiddie pool so the kids (even the big ones!) can cool off. After the sun goes down, bring out boxes of sparklers for everyone to enjoy before calling it a day.
July 4th Hike/Bike and Picnic
If you crave time in nature, why not reserve July fourth as a day to check out a new hiking or biking trail in our area? There are more than 42 miles of natural surface trails in Greensboro. All trails are open to hikers, but some are shared with bikers. For a complete list of trails, visit NC Parks. After a great time on the trails, consider spending time kayaking, canoeing or paddle boating on one of the local lakes. To top off your nature-filled day, find a shady spot in one of the nearby parks and enjoy a picnic dinner before catching the fireworks show or watching them back home on television.
Backyard Campout
Sometimes the ideal destination for your next adventure is as close as your own backyard. To celebrate the fourth of July this year, why not have a family campout at home? Set up a campsite in your backyard with tents filled with sleeping bags, pillows and lanterns, and arrange chairs around a fire pit. Grill hot dogs for dinner and roast marshmallows for s’mores for dessert. Have a family sing-along with patriotic songs like “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and tie in the historical significance of the day by asking each person to share a piece of trivia or short story about the days leading up to or right after July 4, 1776. Cap the evening off by watching fireworks
projected on a sheet (using a small projector connected to a smart phone) or bring out a small television connected to an extension cord from your house.
Visit Historic Landmarks
You may be surprised to learn just how many historic landmarks, parks and sites are in the Greensboro area. A few areas to check out include Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, Blandwood Mansion, Greensboro History Museum, Tannenbaum Historical Park, O’Henry Statues, David and Rachel Caldwell Historic Center/David Caldwell Historic Park, J. Douglas Galyon Depot and the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum. Make sure to call or search online for more information about each site before venturing out. You may want to visit several sites during the day and create a scavenger hunt/trivia questions for kids to do so they can have fun while learning at the same time.
Fun Fourth in Downtown Greensboro
After taking a year off due to the pandemic, the annual Fun Fourth in Downtown Greensboro returns! Although it is not back in full force, there will be a festival full of family-friendly experiences including live music, strolling entertainment, a patriotic path, dunk a celebrity event and a laser show beginning at 9:30 p.m. in the parking lot at the corner of Davie and Market Streets. Please note that Fun Fourth will be held on July 3 from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. For more information, visit Downtown Greensboro.
The fourth of July is a day that holds great historical significance for our country. As we relax and enjoy a fun day with family and friends, may we all remember to be grateful that we live in a free country. Have a safe, happy and fun July fourth!