July 4th Celebrations That Sparkle
July 4th presents a great opportunity to showcase the amenities and features of your community while providing some fun and unique events and activities for your residents and staff. Here are a few ideas for your celebrations:
· Have a ceremony honoring veterans in your community. Plant a tree, unveil a sculpture, or other work of art as a lasting tribute to your veteran residents.
· Hold a Moth-style storytelling event with a theme such as A Memorable July 4th, What America Means to Me, or A Favorite Childhood Summer Memory.
· Hold a mobile picnic. Enjoy appetizers in the lobby or by the pool, dinner at one of the dining venues, and dessert at a food truck.
· Have a county fair with animals, a pie-baking contest, hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, and carnival games.
· Have a New Orleans-style second-line parade. Have a few musicians playing patriotic music leading a march around the community. Encourage residents to join, wave the flag, and sing along
with the music.
· Have a “Top Chef” type competition. Let residents choose the theme – pies, barbeque, fried chicken, etc. – or have a special ingredient (such as watermelon, apples, or barbeque sauce).
· Hold a music festival outside. Have 3-4 local bands or musicians play. Have a concession stand with snacks and drinks.
· Have a community flea market or garage sale with music and snacks.
· Have a patriotic movie night with films such as Yankee Doodle Dandy, M*A*S*H, Argo, Patton, or The Green Berets.
You may want to hold multiple events to appeal to everyone’s interests. Involve residents in planning. Let talented residents perform and bring in friends and family members who can play music, donate food or other items, etc. Consider inviting leaders, partners, and friends in the community at large (ask a local chef to judge the cooking contest). Have a photographer take photos and videos. Use your July 4th events as a way to promote your community as a fun, exciting, vibrant community where people are engaged and empowered.
July 4th is traditionally a family holiday, so don’t forget intergenerational events. Have games for the children, a ‘kids only’ hour in the pool, and treats like popcorn, cotton candy, candied apples, and ice cream.
Keep all celebrations safe. Consider posting grill safety and other tips on the website and message boards. For staff who have to work the holiday, include them in the celebrations and/or have a special spread of food and goodies just for them.
Fireworks can be traumatic for many people, especially war Veterans, as well as pets. Instead of fireworks, invite residents to view celebrations, such as the televised event in Washington, DC., on a big screen. Hand out confetti poppers and noisemakers. For those who insist on live fireworks, consider a shuttle bus or other transportation to a show in the area.
Pi Architects | Contact us here or call us at 512-231-1910.
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