It is that time of the year again! Time for cooking on the grill and having good fellowship with those people we call family. Time for one of the most celebrated holidays in the U.S. – July 4th Independence Day!
The July 4th cookouts are particularly special and especially epic because of the fireworks. In case you’re curious, the first 4th of July fireworks show took place in Philadelphia in 1777. There were fireworks, canons, and even bells that went off to honor the 13 original states. And believe it or not, there was even a dinner and parade for the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Another fun fact – there were only two men who actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. They were Charles Thompson and the infamous John Hancock. And as history tells it, the other 54 delegates signed over the course of the next month.
Enough of the history lesson and now back to the more important topic – the food to celebrate our Independence! Between the spades, the Tamia line dance, and the Aunties who take to-go plates before the cookout even starts, the cookouts are my favorite part of the summer.
My family is big on gatherings. And everybody has their role. The men grill, the women make the sides, and everyone else fills in as needed. Of the cookout items, there is no argument about what’s to be prepared. The list below is a small sample of my family’s staples at the cookout. This is NOT an iron-clad list. It’s my family’s personal cookout must-haves.
Check it out and see if you agree.