July 4th Party - WDYT?

Princess_Lily

Food Served:  Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, French Fries, Salad (Both Green & Potato)

Desserts:       July 4th Cake

Drinks:          Sweet Ice Tea, Water, Beer, Apple Juice 

Entertainment:  Hanging out, kids play soccer in backyard & watch fireworks 

6fsn

How many people and how long will they be staying?  French fries seems a bit odd and I wouldn't do potato salad with the fries.  If you keep the fries I'd sub a pasta salad.  I'd probably also add baked beans (because mine are awesome and always requested) and some chips (especially for little ones).

If you're doing dinner at 6 and fireworks aren't until after 9 I'd also consider having some sort of later snack or add some apps to space things out.

Another simple side might be corn.  Since you have the grill going- soak the corn in water, toss on the grill until the silks start to darken, then toss in a cooler until the rest is done.

wejustwant2:)

Agree with PP, plus I would have Lemonade (I like Simply Lemonade or Newman's) instead of Apple Juice.

 

cindyhow

How many peple?  any appetizers? veggie tray, chips w/dip or salsa? I'd also add some fruit to have w/dessert, maybe cookies too.  I'd prefer pasta salad over french fries. 

Other summer drinks - Also like lemonade too, and/or sodas, fruit punch, white wine (depending on how well you know group if this would be wanted).

Princess_Lily

We're having approx 15ppl, so I'm thinking 1/4lb. per person for the hamburgers.

Also, I like lemonade, but we have some youngins' coming to the party, and I hear lemonade goes through them. 

So, maybe just potato salad, green salad and chips?  Nixing fries.

The cake will have blue berries and strawberries on it.

The fireworks are at 9pm, so I was thinking 730 so people could arrive and hang out for a short while until then.  I was thinking 730 until when people leave, somewhere around 930p - 10:00p  

6fsn

Apple juice goes through young 'ins in an entirely different way   Lemonade doesn't go through them any faster than water.

The sides sound fine. 

Is 730 normal in your crowd?  It would be late for my group (and my family), but if that's normal go for it. 

SJU1982

I think your revised menu sounds fine.  I'd probably put out some french onion or ranch dip to go with the chips.  It's one of those zero-effort snacks that people always pick at.

And I don't foresee people having an issue with the time since the whole point of the party is the fireworks.  Just make sure everyone is aware that you are bbq'ing. This way they can plan ahead and have a late lunch, or a mid-afternoon snack to hold them over.  If your guests aren't receptive to eating that late, you could always skip the bbq and just provide beverages, cake, and maybe a few other snacks to pick on.

My only real suggestion would be for your guests to bring an old blanket so the kids can lay down to watch the fireworks.  My MIL has a similar fireworks party each year, and the kids especially enjoy watching from a blanket.

MrsVMS

I agree with the lemonade, maybe have this instead of apple juice. Also potato/pasta salad is always a hit and much more refreshing than hot fries for grilling out. I would also add a veggie and a fruit tray (melon,grapes,etc) and chips and dip.