Celebrate America’s Birthday Under the Star-Spangled Night Sky

Tired of the same old picnic and burgers? This year, skip the sunscreen and plan to celebrate America’s birthday under the star-spangled night sky. After all, nothing says party like fireworks. Take some inspiration from party planners Michelle Hope and Jaime Newsom of Social Butterflies, LLC for ideas on menu, decor, table settings and more.
Be Prepared
Before heading to the park be sure to pack items like bug spray, hand wipes and sanitizer. Nothing spoils a party like mosquitos feasting on your ankles and wipes are a quick fix for messy clean ups. It’s also a good idea to check city rules on alcohol and glassware policies as you might need to bring plastic tableware for the party.
Plan the Menu
Choose a no-fuss menu that is easy to transport and can even go unheated if needed. No time to cook? Check local restaurants for any holiday specials. Hope and Newsom recommend Corky’s BBQ for their call ahead party orders.
Star-Spangled Dessert
For this festive affair, Hope and Newsom served a strawberry flavored bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cake, as well as pecan pie with whipped topping.
Table Decor
Hope and Newsom gave their party a rustic, grown-up feel exchanging the usual stars and stripes table linen for a vintage wooden table and parlor chairs rented from Propcellar which were light and easy to transport. To make their guests comfortable, Hope and Newsom decorated chairs with modern graphic prints in patriotic colors. Italian bulb lights overhead and lanterns in red, white and blue on the table lit the party with a festive ambiance.
Floral designer Ashlye McCormick created simple floral arrangements in patriotic hues, which Hope and Newsom placed throughout the table. For napkins, Hope and Newsom wrapped american bandanas around each guest’s flatware, and placed the arrangement inside mason jars until dinner was served. Wood ornament place cards hung on each guest chair and doubled as a take-home keepsake.
All of the decor was purchased locally at Pier One Imports and The Dollar Tree. “The best part is you can keep it and use what you purchase for Memorial Day and Fourth of July each year,” say the party experts. “You can always change up a look by adding fresh flowers and switching out rental items,” Hope adds.
Light Up the Night
Votive candles, lanterns or strung Italian lights (if access to a power outlet available), allow for just enough lighting and add a romantic glow to the table. Nervous about open flames? Hope and Newsom suggest selecting one of the many options available in LED candles.
Story by Michelle Hope, Social Butterflies, LLC/Photos by Donny Granger, Creation Studios/MyClickMagazine.com