Our Annual Fireworks Celebration!

Last Friday, July 5th was an amazingly great time with our church family!!  Each year our small town Fire Department and City Council put on a fabulous fireworks display.  This event doesn't always take place on the 4th, it usually takes place the Friday or Saturday following the 4th.  

In the past, we have met under the 4H Pavillion at our City Park.  

Not so much this year.  

Last year was so incredibly hot that we decided to rent the Community Building which is located just up the way a bit from the 4H Pavillion at the City Park.  

So glad we did!

This year we had the largest crowd ever!  There were approximately 160 of us!

In the past the most we have had is around 125.  

Normally we grill burgers and dogs.  We provide the meat, buns, condiments and tableware.

Then everyone else brings both a side, dessert and their own drink.

This year we did things a little/lot differently!

Along with not having it outside, and deciding to rent the building so we had AC,

the church came along side us and purchased fried chicken, 400 pieces of fried chicken!!

Then our family made several sides, while everyone in attendance

 brought a dessert and their own drink.

Main serving area with fired chicken, fruit salads, 

baked beans, pasta salad and cheesy casserole.

Dessert area, my favorite!

No party is complete without decorations!

These were fun.  I found the idea for the rockets on Pinterest.

The rest were items we purchased at either the Dollar Tree or Hobby Lobby.

We printed out the Declaration of Independence on paper,

then cut them out to fit around these LED candles.

The flag came from the church.
The lantern has an LED candle in it and came from our back patio.

This is what it looks like close up.

I just tied a little ribbon around the top

and then used this fun garland and wrapped it around the entire lantern.

This is the baked bean and finish making the salad crew!
My Dad in the dark blue and my step-mom to his left in the turquoise.

This is the run and get the ice, tea lights at the Dollar Tree,

clean-up, salad making and trash crew!

From left to right: my daughter, my niece, my daughter's boyfriend, his friend

and me.

Here is the rest of the clean-up crew!

My hubby in the dark shirt to the back with his hand under his chin,

 and his two buddies.

Of course the evening was not complete until we had watched the 

beautiful display that the Fire Department and City Council provided!

Thank you to everyone that came to this annual event!

We look forward to another great time next year!