Tag: Independence Day

50 Songs to Play on the 4th of July

Tomorrow is the 4th of July! Are you hosting a barbeque or party to celebrate the patriotic holiday? Adding patriotic songs from all genres to your playlist is a great way to celebrate. If you are searching for the best songs to play on the 4th of July, consider the following list.

shallow focus photo of woman holding black am fm radio
Photo by Aline Viana Prado on Pexels.com

Please note: “As an Amazon affiliate, I earn income from qualifying purchases.”

  1. “The Star-Spangled Banner” – Louis Daniel Armstrong
  2. “America the Beautiful” – Ray Charles
  3. “God Bless America Again” – Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty
  4. “God Bless America” – Irving Berlin
  5. “This Land Is Your Land” – Woody Guthrie
  6. “Courtesy Of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)” – Toby Keith
  7. “R.O.C.K. in the USA” – John Mellencamp
  8. “Chicken Fried” – Zac Brown Band
  9. “Living In the Promiseland” – Willie Nelson
  10. “Yankee Doodle” – George M. Cohan
  11. “American Kids” – Kenny Chesney
  12. “American Saturday Night” – Bran Paisley
  13. “Party in the U.S.A.” – Miley Cyrus
  14. “Color Me America” – Dolly Parton
  15. “Surfin’ USA” – Beach Boys
  16. “Everyday America” – Sugarland
  17. “Small Town” –  John Mellencamp
  18. “Glory Days” – Bruce Springsteen
  19. ‘God’s Country” – Blake Shelton
  20. “Summer Nights” – Rascal Flatts
  21. “Free Bird” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
  22. “American Land” – Bruce Springsteen
  23. “All-American Girl” – Carrie Underwood
  24. “Give Me Back My Hometown” – Eric Church
  25. “Born in the U.S.A.” – Bruce Springsteen
  26. “Fortunate Son” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
  27. “Travelin’ Soldier” – The Chicks
  28. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver
  29. “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” – Samuel Francis Smith
  30. “American Girl” – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
  31. “Battle Hymn of the Republic” – Julia Ward Howe
  32. “American Girl” – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
  33. “God Bless the USA” – Lee Greenwood
  34. “I’ve Been Everywhere” – Johnny Cash
  35. “The Star-Spangled Banner” – Whitney Houston
  36. “A Country Fourth of July” – Toby Keith
  37. “Song of the Patriot” – Johnny Cash
  38. “Celebration” – Kool & the Gang
  39. “Firework” – Katy Perry
  40. “Ragged Old Flag” – Johnny Cash
  41. “American Heart” – Faith Hill
  42. “American Pie” – Don McLean
  43. “You’re a Grand Ole Flag” – George M. Cohan
  44. “Almost Independence Day” – Van Morrison
  45. “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
  46. “Stars and Stripes Forever” – John Philip Sousa
  47. “Summer of 69” – Bryan Adams
  48. “Watermelon Sugar” – Harry Styles
  49. “America” – Neil Diamond
  50. “All Summer Long” – Kid Rock

Turn up the music and enjoy! Happy 4th!

Classic Food Ideas Perfect for a 4th of July Celebration

Independence Day is quickly approaching. Are you hosting a barbeque for your family and friends? Are you still trying to finalize the menu? Go classic! Do you remember all the fun and simple food from your childhood? If you are searching for inspiration, consider the following classic food ideas perfect for a 4th of July celebration.

person grilling sausage and meat
Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com
  1. Grilled Burgers and Hot Dogs: A classic staple for any Independence Day barbecue or celebration, burgers and hot dogs are a welcome addition to your party. Set up an area for add-ons, including onion, ketchup, mustard, mayo, or pickles.
  2. BBQ Ribs: Smoky and tender, perfect for outdoor grilling, BBQ Ribs will be a big hit among your guests.
  3. Corn on the Cob: Grilled and slathered with butter, corn on the cob is a summer favorite.
  4. Potato Salad: Creamy and delicious, often featuring mayo, mustard, and hard-boiled eggs, potato salad is essential for your 4th of July barbeque.
  5. Coleslaw: A refreshing, crunchy side dish, coleslaw is fantastic for complementing the rich main courses.
  6. Baked Beans: Sweet and savory, often cooked with bacon or brown sugar, baked beans is a favorite at barbeques. Cook your baked beans in a crock pot for easy transport to your food table or party location.
  7. Watermelon Slices: Refreshing and hydrating, watermelon is a must-have for hot summer days. Cut the watermelon into smaller slices for children to grab a quick, healthy treat throughout the party.
  8. Deviled Eggs: A classic appetizer with a tangy, creamy filling, deviled eggs is an easy addition to your 4th of July menu.
  9. Pasta Salad: Cool and versatile, potato salad is typically made with various vegetables, cheese, and a tangy dressing.
  10. Flag Cake: Create a patriotic dessert decorated with strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream to resemble the American flag.
  11. S’mores: Are you hosting a bonfire during or after the fireworks? S’mores are perfect for a nighttime campfire, made with graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows.
  12. Ice Cream: A cooling treat, ice cream especially homemade is ideal for beating the summer heat.

Adding these dishes not only embodies the spirit of the 4th of July but also caters to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July

May your day be filled with family, friends, and great food!

Happy 4th! Enjoy and be safe!

Thanks again for following my blog!

Rebecca

Best Songs to Play on the 4th of July

Are you creating a playlist for your 4th of July BBQ or party? Celebrate Independence Day with a variety of songs from all types of genres. If you are searching for the best songs to play on the 4th of July, check out the following list.

Photo by Marcelo Verfe on Pexels.com

Please note “As an Amazon affiliate, I earn income from qualifying purchases.”

  1. “The Star-Spangled Banner” – Louis Daniel Armstrong
  2. “America the Beautiful” – Katharine Lee Bates and Samuel A. Ward
  3. “God Bless America” – Irving Berlin
  4. “This Land Is Your Land” – Woody Guthrie
  5. “Courtesy Of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)” – Toby Keith
  6. “R.O.C.K. in the USA” – John Mellencamp
  7. “Chicken Fried” – Zac Brown Band
  8. “Yankee Doodle” – George M. Cohan
  9. “American Kids” – Kenny Chesney
  10. “American Saturday Night” – Bran Paisley
  11. “Party in the U.S.A.” – Miley Cyrus
  12. “Color Me America” – Dolly Parton
  13. “Surfin’ USA” – Beach Boys
  14. “Everyday America” – Sugarland
  15. ‘God’s Country” – Blake Shelton
  16. “American Land” – Bruce Springsteen
  17. “All-American Girl” – Carrie Underwood
  18. “Give Me Back My Hometown” – Eric Church
  19. “Born in the U.S.A.” – Bruce Springsteen
  20. “Fortunate Son” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
  21. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver
  22. “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” – Samuel Francis Smith
  23. “Battle Hymn of the Republic” – Julia Ward Howe
  24. “American Girl” – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
  25. “God Bless the USA” – Lee Greenwood
  26. “I’ve Been Everywhere” – Johnny Cash
  27. “The Star-Spangled Banner” – Whitney Houston
  28. “A Country Fourth of July” – Toby Keith
  29. “Celebration” – Kool & the Gang
  30. “Firework” – Katy Perry
  31. “Ragged Old Flag” – Johnny Cash
  32. “American Heart” – Faith Hill
  33. “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
  34. “Stars and Stripes Forever” – John Philip Sousa
  35. “Summer of 69” – Bryan Adams
  36. “America” – Neil Diamond

Turn up the music and enjoy! Happy 4th!

30 Quotes for the 4th of July

Are you gearing up to celebrate the 4th of July weekend? Posting your photos with a quote is a great way to attract followers to your social media platforms. If you are searching for the right words for an upcoming post, check out the following quotes for the 4th of July.

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com
  1. “America is a tune. It must be sung together.”- Gerald Stanley Lee
  2. “When you’re born, you get a ticket to the freak show. When you’re born in America, you get a front-row seat.” — George Carlin
  3. “Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country.” –  John F. Kennedy
  4. “It’s Fourth of July weekend, or, as I call it, Exploding Christmas.” —Stephen Colbert
  5. “Liberty is the breath of life to nations.” –  George Bernard Shaw
  6. “My father described this tall lady who stands in the middle of the New York harbor, holding high a torch to welcome people seeking freedom in America. I instantly fell in love.” —Yakov Smirnoff
  7. “Let’s not forget why we celebrate 4th of July; it is the day Will Smith saved us from the aliens.” – Unknown
  8. “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” ― George Orwell
  9. “The fact is, with every friendship you make and every bond you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world.” – Michelle Obama
  10. “The United States is the only country with a known birthday.” — James G. Blaine
  11. “You cannot separate peace and freedom. Because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.” – Malcolm X
  12. “What was important wasn’t the fireworks, it was that we were together this evening, together in this place, looking up into the sky at the same time.” —Banana Yoshimoto
  13. “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.” – Abraham Lincoln
  14. “It will be celebrated with pomp and parade, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other.” —John Adams
  15. “People in power are trying to convince us that the villain in our American story is each other. But that is not our story. That is not who we are. That’s not our America. Our United States of America is not about us versus them. It’s about We the people!” –  Kamala Harris
  16. “You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4th, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.” —Erma Bombeck
  17. “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.” – Bill Clinton
  18. “Laughter is America’s most important export.” – Walt Disney
  19. “Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall.” — John Dickinson
  20. “We, the People, recognize that we have responsibilities as well as rights; that our destinies are bound together; that a freedom which only asks what’s in it for me, a freedom without a commitment to others, a freedom without love or charity or duty or patriotism, is unworthy of our founding ideals, and those who died in their defense.” – Barack Obama
  21. “I believe in America because we have great dreams, and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true.” —Wendell L. Wilkie
  22. “America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens.” –  George W. Bush
  23. “The essence of America — that which really unites us — is not ethnicity, or nationality or religion — it is an idea — and what an idea it is: That you can come from humble circumstances and do great things. That it doesn’t matter where you came from but where you are going.” – Condoleezza Rice
  24. “Ours is the only country deliberately founded on a good idea.” —John Gunther
  25. “I always have the most fun on the Fourth of July. You don’t have to exchange any gifts. You just go to the beach and watch fireworks.” —James Lafferty
  26. “America is known as a country that welcomes people to its shores. All kinds of people.” —Ruth Bader Ginsburg
  27. “This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.” —Theodore Roosevelt
  28. “One characteristic of Americans is that they have no tolerance at all of anybody putting up with anything. We believe that whatever is going wrong ought to be fixed.” —Margaret Mead
  29. “America is another name for opportunity.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
  30. “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” – Abraham Lincoln

Happy 4th of July!

Rebecca Reviewed It: Hometown 4th

I live in a rural farming area. But I have always considered St. Johns, Michigan my hometown. When I was younger, I spent a lot of my childhood in town. Naturally, when the 4th of July celebration was announced I made plans to go. I am glad I did.

First, I must admit, I am a fan of community events, fairs, and festivals. The celebration in St. Johns did not disappoint. Before heading to the park, we (my cousin and I) stopped at Little Caesars for pizza. The young man that waited on me was polite and professional (a trait, I value in customer service). 

My cousin and I met the rest of our family at St. Johns City Park. The Performance Shell area has plenty of room to watch concerts or other events. Many people bring blankets or lawn chairs along. The area also has a small pavilion. 

Closer to the road leading into the park are picnic tables for public use. We were lucky enough to find one in the shade. Yes, the 4th of July was a hot day for us in Michigan. Luckily the area is close to restrooms and the playground. 

The music, performed by Stone Street Revival, began around 7 pm. I enjoyed listening to the older songs. I found myself singing along to a few of the songs including Sweet Caroline. Yes, I am sorry for anyone who could hear my voice. 

Prior to the start of the fireworks, our group moved toward the other end outside of the St. Johns Redwings football field. We had a perfect view of the fireworks display. I do not know if the show impressed me because I had not seen fireworks in years. Or I was simply happy to be out after everything was canceled in 2020. The Rotary Club of St. Johns hosted a wonderful family-friendly evening.

Will I Go Again? 

In my opinion, if you can spend an evening with family, eat pizza, listen to music, and watch fireworks, do it. Yes, I plan on attending the 4th of July celebration in St. Johns again. In fact, The Clinton County Arts Council will host different music events throughout the summer at 7 pm on Wednesday nights. I am hoping to attend a few more concerts in the park.  

July 4th, 2021…a beautiful night


4th of July Quotes

 Independence Day is about honoring our past and celebrating the hopes for the future. As Americans the time has come to push together for a better tomorrow. The use of quotes is inspirational and fun. Are you looking for patriotic sayings or quotes to celebrate the 4th of July?

  1. “America is a tune. It must be sung together.” Gerald Stanley Lee
  2. “Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country.” John F. Kennedy
  3. “Liberty is the breath of life to nations.” George Bernard Shaw
  4. “Let’s not forget why we celebrate 4th of July, it is the day Will Smith saved us from the aliens.” Unknown
  5. “The fact is, with every friendship you make and every bond you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world.” Michelle Obama
  6. “You cannot separate peace and freedom. Because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.” Malcolm X
  7. “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.” Abraham Lincoln
  8. “People in power are trying to convince us that the villain in our American story is each other. But that is not our story. That is not who we are. That’s not our America. Our United States of America is not about us versus them. It’s about We the people!” Kamala Harris
  9. “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.” Bill Clinton
  10. “Laughter is America’s most important export.” Walt Disney
  11. “We, the People, recognize that we have responsibilities as well as rights; that our destinies are bound together; that a freedom which only asks what’s in it for me, a freedom without a commitment to others, a freedom without love or charity or duty or patriotism, is unworthy of our founding ideals, and those who died in their defense.” Barack Obama
  12. “America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens.” George W. Bush
  13. “The essence of America — that which really unites us — is not ethnicity, or nationality or religion — it is an idea — and what an idea it is: That you can come from humble circumstances and do great things. That it doesn’t matter where you came from but where you are going.” Condoleezza Rice
  14. “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Abraham Lincoln

Keeping Your Dog (and Other Animals) Calm During Fireworks

Fireworks are an excellent way to celebrate Independence Day. For humans, the large, vibrant displays are a traditional part of the 4th of July activities. Unfortunately, for animals, the loud bangs and booms are frightening.

Even though many communities are canceling fireworks and other events due to the coronavirus. Other areas are planning larger and longer displays. Of course, many individuals set off fireworks right in their own backyards. Being prepared is the best way to help your dog or other animals through loud, scary activities.

Ways to Keep Your Dog Calm During Fireworks

As a responsible pet owner, you know your dog the best. You understand which noises cause the most distress. Finding ways to calm your dog, cat, or other animals may require a little preparation.

My two dogs out for a walk.

  1. Exercise and Walk Before Dusk: Walk your dog early in the day, spend extra time at the dog park, or play for a little while longer. Tiring your dog out early can help ease anxieties for the upcoming fireworks.
  2. Stay Home: Your dog is your best pal. Being with your dog during fireworks is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. Skip the activities to stay home to comfort your favorite four-legged companion. During the fireworks, your dog will be thankful to have you in for the night.
  3. Stay Indoors: Keep your dog inside. Being outdoors during a fireworks display may cause your dog to run off and get lost.
  4. Create Normal Sounds: What appliances do you run on a regular daily basis? Turn up your television, play the music a little louder, run the air conditioner, turn on fans, or other normal sounds that your dog knows.
  5. Create a Safe Area: Making your dog feel safe is essential. If your dog uses a crate, allow him or her access. Move your dog to the most interior part of your living space to muffle outdoor noises. Do not be afraid to lie down beside your dog to provide comfort.
  6. Special Treat or Toy: Purchase a new chew toy, bone, or other treats for your dog. Keeping your pet occupied with a new bone or special treat can ease anxieties.
  7. Talk to Your Vet: If your dog is susceptible to the fireworks, contact your vet to voice your concerns. Your vet can give your advice or prescribe medicine to relax your dog for the night.

The 4th of July can be a scary time for your dog and other animals. Being aware of their needs is critical. Take the necessary steps to help your favorite four-legged companion get through the holiday.