20 Ways to Celebrate The 4th of July

This upcoming Saturday is the 4th of July! Get ready to start seeing a whole lot of red, white and blue! Make sure you’re not left out of your local Independence Day celebrations by promoting new products, services or special treats to your customers! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Honor men and women in uniform by giving them a discount on or around the 4th of July.
2. Serve all-American desserts during the month of July (think: apple pie or strawberry rhubarb crumble) at your bakery or restaurant. 
3. Host a red, white and blue sale at your retail shop – everything that is red, white or blue is discounted!
4. Make it easy for your restaurant customers to take your food to go – offer customizable picnic lunches for them to take to the park, beach or lake!
5. Is your community putting on a fireworks display or hosting a parade? See about becoming a sponsor or getting involved in another way.
6. Speaking of parades, why not make a float or set up a sampling station near the route?
7. Be a source of information for your customers – post updates on where they can see fireworks or partake in patriotic activities on your Facebook page.
8. Decorate your location with flags, streamers and other patriotic items.
9. Own a wine or beer shop? Feature American-made beverages and host a patriotic tasting!
10. Host a parking lot picnic! Partner up with other local businesses to make it fun for the whole community.
11. If a customer comes in wearing red, white or blue give them a small discount – just because!
12. Salons or spas can offer special pricing on red, white or blue manicures and pedicures.
13. Own a specialty retail store? Why not group patriotic hostess gifts or decorations together to make it easy for your customers to grab and go.
14. Apparel and accessory stores can create displays featuring red, white or blue items to catch the eye of someone who needs a new outfit for that 4th of July picnic.
15. Host a grilling or BBQ class for your restaurant or catering customers.
16. Set up a patriotic contest on social media – or, host a contest in person (pie baking, hot dog eating, etc.).
17. If fireworks aren’t your thing, host an “anti-fireworks” party at your restaurant or bar for those that want to celebrate (but not in a street full of people).
18. In the days leading up to the 4th, schedule an American history/culture-themed trivia night!
19. Create a specialty cocktail – something kitschy (a red white and blue drink) or classy (an riff on an American classic).
20. Hand out miniature flags to your customers to use while they watch the local parade, or just to take home and enjoy.

Any other fun ideas for celebrating the 4th with your customers and employees?