Gulf Coast Family

“You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.”

Erma Bombeck

From The Declaration of Independence

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness…

And for the Support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortune, and our sacred Honor.

With these words, a small group of very brave Americans declared to the world the birth of a new nation. A nation that was founded on the truth that all Men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. This brave proclamation, so eloquently crafted by the Continental Congress and Thomas Jefferson cost some of these brave men their lives, many their fortunes, but none their honor. Despite their failures and shortcomings, these remarkable men took a stand for liberty, faith, and freedom, and we are all better for it.

Fourth of July Beach Party

The Fourth of July is not only an ideal time for families to celebrate our nation's freedom, but it also provides a great opportunity for families to have fun in the hot summer weather. A Fourth of July beach party is a fun idea that your family and friends will love, especially since we have so many great beaches right here in Pinellas County.

Even if you don't want to visit the beach, you can still decorate your backyard with beach accessories and create a beach ambience. You can decorate the table with centerpieces of sea shells and sand, provide a big sandbox for younger guests to play in, and add the element of water in the form of several wading pools, one large pool, squirt guns or a sprinkler.

To have a truly exciting July fourth party, you will need to have some outdoor recreation lined up; and nothing is better than some good old fashioned games to liven up the party. Here are some great games for you to play at any summertime party:

Volleyball – This game is great for groups because it is simple to play, yet it requires teamwork to do well.

Badminton - Of all the “netted” games, badminton is the least strenuous. That is not to say that it has to be laid back, as some games become quite competitive. It can be highly strenuous, or not at all strenuous, depending on who is playing.

Horseshoes - The great thing about horseshoes is the fact that you can play it regardless of your age. Just make sure you have plenty of space so no one gets hurt.

Flag Football - For the young guns in the family, flag football is always a fun addition to a party. It is a great game for playing on the beach, and it is fun from the first snap.

Some other fun ideas you can try are a sand castle building contest, a beach scavenger hunt, a game of Frisbee, a game of hide and go seek or even a round of limbo. In the end, no matter what games you choose, with a little planning and creativity, you can host the perfect Fourth of July beach bash that might just become a beloved annual tradition!