Independence Day is nearly here — the birthday of our great nation, and every grill master’s favorite holiday. To help you get ready for the big day, we’ve put together this handy guide to making your Fourth of July celebration the best on the block.
Step One – Get Your Guest Count
A hungry guest is an unhappy guest. So, start your prep by getting your guest count ahead of time. And remember to factor in a few extra heads for the inevitable hangers-on and extra hungry. Having too much food will lead to a tasty lunch on the 5th of July.
Step Two — Fill the Fridge
Now that you know how much food you need, you can get to the good part. If you want to celebrate our country’s independence in style, bulk weenies and paper-thin patties simply won’t do. There’s nothing wrong with going traditional, especially on the Fourth, but that shouldn’t be an excuse for low quality. If you spring for All-Beef Hotdogs and Steakburgers, your guests will thank you for it.
Also make sure to stock the fridge with plenty of beverages and don’t forget the condiments. When it comes to dressing a hotdog and burger, everyone likes it a little different. So, do your best to accommodate everyone with a wide variety of sauces and toppings.
Step Three — Set Up Your Space
The Fourth of July is all about green grass, blue skies, and golden sunshine. Help make sure your guests can enjoy the summer afternoon with plenty of outdoor seating, tables, and trash cans to prevent the post-party mess. Also remember that the weather doesn’t always observe holidays. So, prepare an indoor area, or set up a large outdoor tent, in case of rain.
And if you plan for your party to go into the evening, make sure to put out citronella candles to help keep the mosquitos at bay.
Step Four — Décor and More
It should go without saying that you should have a flag or two at your event. But remember to give Old Glory the respect it deserves by always following the U.S. Flag Code. You can also deck out your outdoor space with tiki torches, lawn games, and patriotic pinwheels for the youngsters to play with.
Step Five – Light up the Sky
Finally, it wouldn’t be the Fourth of July without some fireworks. But always check with your state and local laws before blowing anything off. Fireworks are a fun way to celebrate Independence Day, but safety and legality should always come first.
After these steps, the rest is in the details. Do you have enough plates and cutlery for all your guests? Is your sound system loud enough for the whole party to hear? Is the sprinkler system turned off?
Above all else, don’t forget to take some time to actually enjoy the party. The duties of a host are many, but it should never feel like a job.
Happy Independence Day. And happy grilling from all of us at The Kansas City Steak Company!
