Whether you’ve just moved in or you’ve been in your community for a few years, what better way to celebrate summer than with an all-out Fourth of July party for your friends, family and neighbors. We’ve scoured the internet for some of the cutest and most festive ideas to make your party the best party of the year! 

On The Menu

Of course grilling is de rigueur for food preparation, but there are some fun things you can do in the kitchen too. Cut out and bake star-shaped sugar cookies after adding a little red and/or blue food coloring to the dough. Buy some fun star-shaped ice cube trays for patriotic drink additions. Concoct red and blue fruit salad with festive fruit like blueberries, watermelon, raspberries and strawberries. Celebratory desserts…red Jell-o, homemade fruit punch popsicles and the always traditional flag cake created from whipped cream and blue and red berries are always a hit. 

In The Pool

If your celebration includes a pool party, encourage everyone to wear a red, white or blue bathing suit and add some appropriately colored beach balls, frisbees, toys and floaties. Drinks should be served in red or blue plastic and, if you’re really into the festivities, buy some flag colored towels. When everyone is out of the pool for the evening add some pretty white floating candles to the water. 

Around the House and Garden

There is no shortage of July Fourth decorating ideas available at nearly every store you frequent in June. It’s always fun to purchase a few novelty items for the day only like colorful straws, napkins, paper plates, etc., but also consider a few items you can use over and over again like good quality table cloths, serving items, drink dispensers, etc. You may surprise yourself and decide to make this an annual event! 

This year don’t settle just for the same-old annual Old Navy t-shirt for the entire family…throw a party! It’s such a fun way to kick-off summer, meet your neighbors and reconnect with family and friends you don’t see often enough. Visit your city pages where the communities San Joaquin Valley Homes builds and has built in (Hanford, Dinuba, Tulare, Kingsburg, Bakersfield, Visalia and Porterville) to see what fun activities they too are offering to celebrate this day.