Safer at Home – 4th of July 

This year, 4th of July will be a little different for all of us. However, we can still celebrate America’s independence with our immediate families. Local Anchor has compiled a list of virtual events, arts and crafts projects, activities, recipes, and more to celebrate this 4th of July at home.

Thank a Veteran!

We are supporting a nonprofit organization called Honor Flight. Honor Flight takes veterans to visit their war memorials in Washington, DC.   Honor Flight participant priority is based on age, so the current flights are WW2 and Korean War veterans. Normally, the veterans have a fun tradition of “mail call” on their flight to DC, where they read letters and cards from the community. Due to the terrible pandemic, the Honor Flight trips have been postponed, and many of the veterans are quite elderly and frail and may not be able to attend next year’s trip. We want to lift their spirits by giving them a special and safe “home delivery” version of mail call!

Please write a card or letter to express your gratitude for their service to our country. Please address your message to “Dear Veteran” and keep it nonpolitical/noncontroversial. Cards will be reviewed before being sent to veterans.

It can be written, it can be typed, it can be a drawing from your kids, as long as it can fit in an envelope so you can put it in the mail by July 8 to:

Mail Call from South Bay
c/o Craig Van Doren
26 Club Vista
Dove Canyon, CA 92679
www.honorflight.org

Virtual Events & Fireworks 

94th Virtual AmericaFest (July 4th: 2 pm – 3 pm)

On July 4th, The Rose Bowl Stadium will be hosting the 94th Virtual AmericaFest Celebration on Rose Bowl LIVE, located on the stadium’s social media platforms. In this virtual event, there will be feature celebrations of our United States Veterans and military personnel, messages from our community thanking first responders, frontline workers and their personal heroes for their work during COVID-19, as well as a salute to America with a message for why we celebrate the 4th of July.

A Boston Pop Salute to Our Heroes (July 4th: 5 pm – 8 pm PST)

The 2020 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular broadcast, under the direction of Keith Lockhart, presents A Boston Pops Salute to Our Heroes. The broadcast on July 4 at 8pm will feature both new content and highlights from beloved performers from the past three years including Melissa Etheridge, Leslie Odom Jr., Rita Moreno, Queen Latifah, Andy Grammar, and many more.

A Tribute to the American Spirit Concert (July 4: 1 pm – 2:30 pm PST)

The United States Air Force Band, Washington Performing Arts, and National Harbor have partnered together with special guest artists Joshua Bell, Soloman Howard, and Larisa Martínez- Soprano to present a special online event, streamed live at 4:00 p.m. on July 4th. Hosted by DC’s own Aaron Gilchrist, morning anchor at NBC Washington, “A Tribute to the American Spirit” will highlight the resilience of all Americans, honor our veterans, and celebrate Independence Day with some patriotic favorites.

Virtual July Fourth Spectacular (July 4th: 6 pm – 8 pm)

Join Pacific Symphony for a free Independence Day concert featuring patriotic favorites such as John Williams’ “Midway March,” “76 Trombones” from “The Music Man,” “God Bless the USA” with Lee Greenwood, “Stars and Stripes Forever” and the finale from Peter Boyer’s “Ellis Island: The Dream of America.”

Virtual Grand Park’s 4th of July Block Party (July 4th: 7pm – 10pm)

For the first time, the eighth annual Grand Park + The Music Center’s 4th of July Block Party: Home Edition has partnered with ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, to broadcast the first hour of the highly popular celebration on Saturday, July 4, (7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. PDT) on ABC7. Viewers can also stream the first hour live on abc7.com and ABC7’s Connected TV Apps. The special will simulcast on L.A. County’s public access Channel 36 and will continue with expanded programming streamed from 8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. PDT on Grand Park’s and The Music Center’s digital channels.

Live From Music Hall Virtual July 4th Concert (July 4th: 4pm / 7 pm EST)

Gather the family for a free virtual July 4 concert—live from Music Hall. JMR and the Pops will perform on stage at Music Hall while you and your family enjoy from home. Hear your favorite patriotic and Americana tunes as special guests join the Pops for a tribute to our nation’s history. “Stars and Stripes Forever” becomes a virtual visual extravaganza to cap off the program.

Coast Guard Band: Gallantly Streaming (July 4th: 4pm / 7 pm EDT)

The United States Coast Guard Band presents “Gallantly Streaming,” an Independence Day celebration! This performance of previously recorded material is an eclectic musical tribute to the nation. Through the Virtual Concert Hall, the Coast Guard Band remains committed to representing the men and women of our service and highlighting the talents of our excellent musicians.

Arts & Crafts 

American Flag Pom Pom Craft
If you have extra yarn lying around, here’s an easy arts and crafts project for kids to do.

How To Make 4th Of July Pinwheels
Looking for a patriotic craft to make with your kids on Independence Day? These 4th of July Pinwheels are very easy and quick.

Handprint Bald Eagle Craft
There’s no special materials or tools needed. Just your ordinary paper, glue and scissors.

 

 

Patriotic Themed Food & Beverage Ideas

Red, White and Blue Patriotic Star Cookies
These patriotic star cookies are the perfect Fourth of July cookies to help you celebrate, with their vivid red, white and blue coloring and delicious sugar cookie base.

Patriotic Pudding Cups
These layered pudding cups are vegetarian and only have four ingredients. The trick is that you are going to separate the pudding and color each section with food coloring.

Red White And Blue 4th Of July Cake Recipe
The blue and red cake layers really pop with the white frosting in the middle. Additionally I like to add some blue sprinkles on top.

Red White And Blue Jello Parfait
A no-bake Jello parfait is a universally enjoyed treat and having one that helps your patriotic colors stand out while also tasting great is a fun option.

Patriotic Pudding Cups
These fun and festive Patriotic Pudding Cups are actually super easy to make, but they look really impressive when you’re done.

4th of July Pretzel Bites
These salty-sweet treats take just a few minutes to make, yet they look amazing.

Red, White and Blue Strawberry Cupcakes
The wonderful strawberry flavor from freeze dried strawberry pieces is simply delicious.  Top with a swirl of yummy buttercream frosting and you have the perfect cupcake that your friends and family will love.

4th of July Poke Cake
A poke cake is just as it sounds! It’s a cake that has holes poked into them after baking it. You then fill the holes with a filling mixture such as pudding or fruit.

Fruit Spangled Cheesecake Dip
This Fruit Spangled Cheesecake Dip recipe is so easy to make and it comes together in just 5 minutes!

Activities & Games 

Free Printable Patriotic Bingo
If you’re looking for something to do with the kids at home, bingo is an entertaining activity for kids of all ages!

Free Printable 4th of July Word Scramble
This free printable 4th of July Word Scramble is a fun game to play leading up to the big celebration!

How To Build A Soda Mentos Rocket
If you’re in the mood for an awesome STEM activity that ends with a BANG, you might consider building a soda and mentos rocket.

Handprint Bald Eagle Craft
If you’re looking for a fun and easy patriotic paper craft for kids this activity is exactly what you need!

Fourth Of July Slime For Kids
Recipe for an amazingly glittery July 4th slime for kids! It’s customizable to your liking and takes less than 20 minutes to make. 

Free Printable Fourth of July Word Search and Word Scramble
If your family loves word search and word scramble, you can download a festive 4th of July one here!

4th Of July Word Search Free Printable
Here’s another printable 4th of July themed word search.

Free Printable Fourth of July Bingo
These cards feature fun, colorful images with a patriotic picnic theme. Many of the images are Independence Day related, like an Uncle Sam hat and an American flag kite, and a few of them are cookout themed (like the sunglasses and sunscreen).

Red, White, and Blue Patriotic Slime
If you are looking for a new slime recipe this year to help celebrate the 4th of July, this is IT!

Adult Beverages and More 

Frozen Red, White & Blue Lemonade Cocktail
This frozen red, white & blue lemonade cocktail is the perfect addition to your 4th of July barbecue. It is a show stopper with its layered grenadine, vodka lemonade and blue curacao.

Red White and Blue Jello Shots
Jello Shots are pretty easy to make. This is the basic recipe anyone can follow.

Blue Margarita
In Margarita is a tequila based cocktail with lime juice and a slight hint of orange flavor.

Decor 

4th of July Backyard Party Ideas
If you still need some last minute 4th of July decoration inspiration for your small backyard party with your immediate family, here’s some ideas.

Rustic Farmhouse DIY Patriotic Decorations
With these rustic farmhouse DIY patriotic decorations, you can easily add some farmhouse charm to your home this summer. And all you need to make them are some tin cans and paint!