The Fourth of July is coming up, which means it’s time to celebrate America’s birthday in true patriotic style! Here in the Belleglade community, we just love all the fun festivities and patriotism the Fourth of July brings about each year. If you’re considering hosting your own Fourth of July party, you’ve come to the right place. Most Fourth of July parties involve grilling out, lawn games, and American flags, but let’s tap into our creative sides this year! We’ve gathered some simple, creative, and fun recipes and decoration ideas for your celebration!

RECIPES:

Refreshing Berry Spritzer

Ingredients:

• ½ lb. mixed berries ½ c. fresh basil 3 tbsp.
• fresh orange juice 3 tbsp.
• sugar 2 tbsp.
• fresh lemon juice
• Club soda

Directions:

1. Stir together berries, basil, orange juice, sugar, and lemon juice until sugar is dissolved and some berries have broken down. Let stand 10 minutes.
2. Serve over ice topped with club soda.

Credit: https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/a32600545/refreshing-berry-spritzer/

Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

•  2 pints multicolored cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 (8-oz.) container small fresh mozzarella balls (such as bocconcini)
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil 
• 2 tbsp. white balsamic vinegar 
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup small fresh basil leaves

Directions:

1.  Combine tomatoes, mozzarella, oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. 
2. Stir in basil and serve immediately.

Credit: https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/cherry-tomato-caprese-salad-recipe

Mini Stars Berry Pies

Ingredients:

• 1 (15-oz) package refrigerated rolled pie crusts – Flour, for work surface – 1 large egg, beaten
• ¼ c. plus 1 tbsp. sugar, divided
• 1 ½ c. fresh blueberries 
• 1 ½ c. fresh chopped strawberries 
• 1 ¼ c. fresh raspberries
• 1 ½ tbsp. cornstarch 
• Pinch of kosher salt 
• Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Directions:

1. Working with one pie crust at a time, roll dough on a lightly floured work surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Using the stencil cut out 4 circles: reserve scraps. Repeat with remaining pie crust.
2. Shape scraps into a 1/2-inch-thick disk. Roll disk on a lightly floured work surface to 1/8-inch thickness.Cut out stars with cookie cutters, rerolling scraps as necessary.
3. Transfer dough rounds to pie tins; fold edges under to align with the rim of the tin; crimp. Place pie tins and stars on a baking sheet. Brush edges of dough and start with egg and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar. Chill 30 minutes.
4. Heat oven to 375°F. Toss blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cornstarch, salt, and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a bowl. Let sit, tossing occasionally, until juicy, 8 to 10 minutes.
5. Fill pie crusts with the fruit mixture (about a heaping 1/2 cup each). Place stars on pies as desired. Bake until fruit is bubbling, and the crust is golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream.

Credit: https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/a21348015/mini-stars-berry-pies-recipe/’

DIY DECORATIONS & GAMES

Red, White, and Blue Pinwheel Wreath

Materials:

•  Scissors – Patterned paper, double-sided
• Hot glue
• Embroidery hoop

Directions:

1.  Cut a piece of craft paper into a five-inch square. Use a pencil to draw a straight line from each corner to the opposite corner, creating a large X shape across the paper. Use scissors to cut from each corner into the middle, stopping half an inch before the center. 
2. Once you’ve made all four cuts on the square paper, use a hot glue gun to turn the paper into pinwheels. Place a drop of hot glue in the center of the X shape and fold down one corner so the point comes to the center of the paper. Hold down the corner until the glue dries, then add another drop of glue and fold in the next corner. Repeat this step for each corner until the pinwheel is finished. 
3. Decorate with pinwheels. Turn your pinwheels into a festive wreath by attaching a group of them to a Wood Embroidery Hoop. To make sure you have enough pinwheels, keep the embroidery hoop near while you’re cutting and gluing the pinwheels. Attach ten pinwheels (made from five-inch squares) to a medium-sized hoop.

Credit: https://www.bhg.com/holidays/july-4th/crafts/make-a-fourth-of-july-pinwheel/

Popsicle Stick Flag

Materials:

• Red, white and blue paint
• Popsicle sticks
• Painters tape
• Thick cardstock
• Glue
• Rhinestones
• Ribbon

Directions:

1. Paint popsicle sticks red and white. Allow the paint to dry completely. Use painter’s tape to create a rectangle for the blue section of the flag. Apply one or two coats of blue paint. 
2. Glue popsicle sticks onto 2.75×4 inches cardstock. Let the glue dry completely. 
3. Add rhinestone stars to your flag.
4. Glue ribbon around a large popsicle. Use a hot glue gun to cover the front and sides of the stick. Then glue the stick to the back of the flag.

Credit: https://apumpkinandaprincess.com/popsicle-stick-flag-craft

DIY Cornhole

Materials:

• Large pieces of cardboard
• Two 24 x 36-inch canvases –
• Four 8-inch blocks of wood –
• Red, white, and blue spray paint –
• Nails 
• Mod podge 
• Box cutter 
• Hammer 
• Pencil 
• Painter’s tape 
• Plate

Directions:

1. Draw a square in the center of the canvas about 4 inches from the sides and 8 inches from the top. Place your plate inside the square and trace it. Cut out the circle with a box cutter to create the hole.
2. Cut cardboard pieces to the same size as the canvas and slide them in place between the canvas and the canvas frame. If the cardboard covers the hole, use the box cutter to cut away the excess cardboard. 
3. Measure and mark the center of your canvas. Then, create a diagonal line with the painter’s tape that reaches from the bottom corner to the center mark. Do this on both sides of the canvas to create a triangle. 
4. Spray paint your canvas using red, white or blue. You can use one or two colors for your design. Let dry and then remove the tape. You can also spray paint the wood legs of your board. 
5. Apply a thick layer of Mod Podge onto the canvas and let dry. 
6. Using a hammer, nail in the wooden legs into the top corners of the canvas. Each leg should get two nails. 
7. Repeat to make two boards.

Credit: https://www.brit.co/cornhole-game-diy/