Spending the Fourth of July at home? 7 ways to celebrate

camylla battani gZltlzPun9c unsplash scaled Spending the Fourth of July at home? 7 ways to celebrate
Happy Fourth of July! Photo by Camylla Battani on Unsplash

Sparklers, a couple hot dogs on the grill and maybe a cocktail or two in hand—the basics of the fourth of July don’t have to change this year. If you’re spending it with family, friends or in quarantine with your cat there’s still plenty of ways to enjoy it with help from local businesses.

Have you been using our database featuring over 540 local businesses? If not you better head over there and sign up yourself!

1. Red, white + pie

IMG 1051 Spending the Fourth of July at home? 7 ways to celebrate
I think about this pie every day of my life. Photo via Bham Now

Every holiday in America involves some type of pie, but the 4th of July is the only holiday where the berries you use match the theme. Make your own with fresh fruit from the farm or buy local and tell everyone you baked it yourself.

Make your own

Buy from local biz

  • Edolyn’s Pies: Menu | Call | 1821 2nd Ave N Birmingham, AL 35203
  • JaWanda’s: Menu | Call | 5291 Valleydale Road Suite 111 Birmingham, AL 35242
  • The Bright Star: Menu | Call | 304 19th St N, Bessemer, AL 35020

Not a pie fan? Check out these patriotic donuts!

2. Cookout Essentials

IMG 8999 Spending the Fourth of July at home? 7 ways to celebrate
Far & Wide named Miss Myra’s Bar-B-Q’s BBQ Chicken Sandwich with White Sauce as “top pick”. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

What’s better than firing up the grill? Having someone do it for you. You can’t have 4th of July without BBQ and Birmingham has got the meal deals on DECK. Picnics also have a patriotic ring to them so be sure to check out our guide for hosting the perfect one.

  • Bob Sykes Bar B Q: Family meals | Call | 1724 9th Ave N, Bessemer, Alabama 35020
  • Miss Myra’s: Give them a call for your 4th of July gathering and they’ll do the cooking for you. | Call | 3278 Cahaba Heights Rd, Birmingham, AL 35243
  • MELT: Pans of Mac and cheese and pints of chicken salad and pimento cheese | Email Wednesday at noon to order | 4105 4th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35222
  • Don’t sleep on our latest hot dog guide either.

3. Screen an outdoor movie

Don’t forget the bug spray! When the sun dips lower in the evening bring out your projector and host a mini-movie marathon in your back yard. Not to worry if you don’t have the equipment, Birmingham has you covered for a socially-distant movie night.

4. Photo props, flags + decor

Fake it till ya make am I right? If you’re not out on the lake or at a giant BBQ like usual, you can at least dress up your place to the nines.

  • Little Hardware: Website | Call | 2117 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223
  • It’s A Party Ballon and Party Supplier: Facebook | Call | 107 North Chalkville Mountain Road Trussville, Alabama

5. Sparklers

zoritsa valova 0ZYurfiTwoM unsplash scaled Spending the Fourth of July at home? 7 ways to celebrate
Photo by Zoritsa Valova on Unsplash

Sparklers are not only cute and make for adorable pictures, but they won’t hurt the friendly pets in your neighborhood and cause anxiety for everyone around you.

  • Grand Wedding Exit Sparklers (I know they are for weddings, but they’re cute!): Website
  • Super Show Fireworks: Facebook | Call | 5859 Service Rd, Birmingham, AL 35235

6. Bikes rides, kayaking + natures walks

DSC 6704 Spending the Fourth of July at home? 7 ways to celebrate
We have some beautiful trails to social distance on. Photo courtesy of Brian DeMarco with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

It’s a holiday which means you now have more time to explore Birmingham and do all of those outdoorsy things you always say you’ll do but don’t. Rent a bike and take it out on one of our amazing trails or opt for a kayak and hit the water.

7. Backyard water park

luke porter mGFJIUD9yiM unsplash Spending the Fourth of July at home? 7 ways to celebrate
Obviously these folks aren’t social distancing, but you get the idea. Photo by Luke Porter on Unsplash

Can’t make it to the pool or lake? Chances are they’ll be crowded anyway, so a safer option is cooling off in your backyard. If you didn’t invest in a kiddy pool during quarantine, now is your chance

  • Homewood Toy and Hobby: Call | 2830 18th St S, Birmingham, AL 35209

How are you spending the Fourth of July? Share it with us on social @bhamnow!

Irene Richardson
Irene Richardson
Articles: 385