4th of July Weekend Menu & Family Assignments
FRIDAY EVENING - Welcome Dinner
Casual arrival meal
Main Dishes:
- Grilled burgers and hot dogs
- Buns and condiments
Sides:
- Classic potato salad
- Coleslaw
- Baked beans
- Corn on the cob
- Watermelon slices
Drinks:
- Lemonade
- Iced tea
- Beer and sodas
- Water bottles
SATURDAY - Main 4th of July Celebration
Breakfast/Brunch
- Pancakes with berries (red/blue)
- Scrambled eggs
- Breakfast sausage
- Fresh fruit salad
- Coffee and orange juice
Lunch
Light meal before big dinner
- Deli sandwich bar
- Chips and dip
- Fresh vegetables and ranch
- Fruit cups
Dinner - The Big Feast
Grilled Items:
- BBQ ribs
- Grilled chicken (various cuts)
- Bratwurst and hot dogs
- Grilled corn
Traditional Sides:
- Mac and cheese (kid favorite!)
- Potato salad
- Mandarin/strawberry salad
- Deviled eggs
- Baked beans
- Garlic bread
Patriotic Desserts:
- Red, white & blue berry trifle
- Flag cake or cupcakes
- Apple pie
- Ice cream (vanilla and strawberry)
Beverages:
- Fresh lemonade
- Iced tea (sweet and unsweet)
- Beer selection
- Wine
- Sodas and juice boxes
- Plenty of water
SUNDAY MORNING - Farewell Brunch
Before departure
- Cinnamon roll casserole
- Scrambled eggs
- Bacon
- Fresh fruit
- Coffee and juice
FAMILY ASSIGNMENTS
Your Family (Hosts)
- Friday: Burgers, hot dogs, buns, condiments, drinks setup
- Saturday Breakfast: Pancakes, eggs, coffee
- Saturday Dinner: BBQ ribs, grilled chicken, mac and cheese
- Sunday: Cinnamon roll casserole, bacon
- Plus: All paper goods, utensils, ice, main beverages
Sister's Family (4 boys, ages 3-11)
- Friday: Potato salad, corn on the cob
- Saturday: Mandarin/strawberry salad, garlic bread
- Sunday: Scrambled eggs
- Plus: Juice boxes and kid-friendly snacks
Brother's Family (2 girls, ages 1 & 4)
Arrives Saturday evening
- Saturday: Deviled eggs, flag cake/cupcakes
- Plus: Baby/toddler supplies as needed
Cousin Leah (2 boys, ages 0 & 3)
- Friday: Coleslaw
- Saturday: Apple pie, ice cream
- Sunday: Fresh fruit
- Plus: Baby supplies, highchair if needed
Cousin Nathan's Family (2 kids, ages 4 & 7)
- Saturday Breakfast: Sausage, fruit salad
- Saturday Lunch: Vegetables and dip, fruit cups
- Saturday: Bratwurst, hot dogs, berry trifle
- Plus: Sodas and specialty drinks
Mom and Dad
- Friday: Setup help, lemonade/iced tea, baked beans, watermelon
- Saturday Lunch: Ham and lunch meat, chips
- Sunday: Coffee and juice
- Plus: Wisdom and supervision! 😊
SHOPPING & PREP TIPS
Make-Ahead Items:
- Potato salad (Friday morning)
- Deviled eggs (Friday night)
- Berry trifle (Saturday morning)
- Coleslaw (can be made day before)
- BBQ ribs (cook Friday, reheat/finish on grill Saturday)
Grill Schedule Saturday:
- 4:00 PM: Start corn
- 4:30 PM: Ribs (pre-cooked, just warming and finishing)
- 5:00 PM: Chicken
- 5:30 PM: Bratwurst and hot dogs
Kid-Friendly Considerations:
- Cut hot dogs lengthwise for little ones
- Have plain noodles available (mac and cheese backup)
- Keep some burgers plain (no seasoning)
- Watermelon and fruit cups are great for toddlers
- Paper plates for easier cleanup
Don't Forget:
- Aluminum foil for grilling
- Coolers and ice
- Wet wipes for kids
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Sparklers for after dinner!
Total count: 11 adults + 10 children
Estimated cost per family: $60-80 depending on items assigned