The name of the game for the 4th is to have some serious fun. If you’ve got a pool, you are 85% of the way there, bikinis are appropriate (see Matt’s “The Plan” blog), and all of the below works for you.
If you do not, don’t despair. For a great ad hoc celebration, I recommend getting out those “Children at Play” cones or some Bob’s Barricades you purloined while doing the Frank the Tank Old School streak after your 10 year, cordoning off the block and throwing a wild street party. 
Either way, you’re in good shape. But this blog is about how to get the party going. Games, grilling, and tunes is where we’re at.
First, get some friends or neighbors together and try to assemble the following (by the pool, backyard tennis court, or your street):
- BBQ grills
- Portable basketball hoops
- Rackets and balls for tennis doubles
- Volleyball nets
- Cornhole and tetherball
- Ping pong / foos and/or air hockey tables with a long extension cord
- Folding tables, chairs, couches, and coolers on front lawn (if in the street).
Jeremiah shared some great grilling recipes – tri-tip, artichokes, and garlic toast – yum. You can also start the party early and use grills to serve up pancakes to the whole hood. Blueberries, strawberries and whip cream will make people think you’re a genius and antioxidize you the rest of the day.
Throughout the day have music going but don’t knock people’s socks off, just get their blood pumping. Surely there is someone in your group who can add some live music. This is always a hit, whether doing covers or some original material, maybe an acoustic guitar, karaoke or that sweet garage band, let them strut their stuff. You can even get cultural. We brought in a quartet last year which gave the party a very colonial feel.
More to come on setting the scene with some fresh décor – guy approved of course.
Cheers,
Chris