Every year on Instagram Stories I share photos from our friends’ outrageously over-the-top Fourth of July party, and every year readers ask for a post with the photos and recipes she uses. So here it is: a roundup of what makes Justine’s backyard soiree so memorable. She and her husband John throw one massive annual celebration where neighbors gather with kids, relax, and have a blast. It’s easier to coordinate than holiday events, so this has become their go-to tradition—and yes, the party energy is real.
Each year Justine sets up a sun tent and transforms it into a photobooth with fabric, sparkly red tulle, and a banner along the back. The secret to a great DIY photobooth? The props. Her prop table keeps growing: oversized glasses, hats, inflatable gloves, wigs, beards—you name it. She collects sale items after previous Fourths, so the selection gets wilder every year.
Longtime readers know Justine’s party instincts extend to other celebrations too—she once made the cupcakes for our daughter’s fourth birthday instead of bringing a traditional gift. Her approach is “all in,” which explains why giant inflatable presidents and dramatic decorations aren’t out of place on her hanging daybed.
The kids love the inflatables—they spent the afternoon play-fighting with them—and the adults love the spectacle. Justine even made a cute wooden sign listing “food,” “waterslide,” “drinks,” “photobooth” and more. The event has snowballed through the years, so every July she pulls out more ridiculous and delightful items than the year before. The momentum is unstoppable, and yes, there’s an Abe Lincoln hat for the prop table.
One standout attraction is the rented two-story waterslide. It’s for the kids, but once a few adults try slow-motion tricks and an abundance of jello shooters are consumed, adults join in the fun too. The result: epic wipeouts and slow-mo cinematics that earn big laughs.
Activities include cornhole tournaments and a strict dress code: red, white, and blue. Costume categories come with prizes—this year someone in a patriotic swimsuit and towel combo scored big. Justine’s outfit alone is worth high marks; she custom-decorated her flip-flops and brought an unapologetic level of flair.
There’s even a leather sofa set out on the grass for photo ops and people-watching. It’s a prime spot for spectators to heckle—or cheer—the cornhole players while staying comfortably social.
Justine’s attention to detail extends to the tableware: silverware rolled in bandanas and tied with twine. She told me she usually has extras left over, so it’s not as time-consuming as it looks—though her “all in” standard may differ from most people’s.
Food is a potluck, which keeps the workload reasonable for the hosts. About 20–30 people attend, so there’s always plenty to share—and a lot of it ends up festive and themed. Think blue corn chips with red salsa, or layered bean dip decorated with olives and tomatoes to resemble a flag: refried beans, guacamole, cheese, sour cream, and garnishes on top.
Caprese skewers with mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, and a few blueberries for extra color are always a hit—season with salt and pepper and drizzle with balsamic glaze for a simple crowd-pleaser.
We bring Lil’ Smokies—aka pigs in a blanket—and they vanish by night’s end. Kids love them, and adults appreciate the easy, nostalgic snack.
The drinks are memorable: jello shooters (the cherry stem trick makes them easy to lift from the cup), red-white-and-blue smoothies for the kids served in cute jars with festive straws, and layered margaritas for the adults. The margaritas leaned toward “margarita speed” rather than perfectly distinct layers, but they were delicious and well received.
One of the night’s biggest hits was individually decorated waffle cones dipped in red, white, and blue chocolate and finished with sprinkles. The kids went absolutely wild for them. Justine displayed them in teal milk crates she repurposed from her daughter’s room—a clever touch that felt inspired rather than copied.
Another standout dessert was a no-bake berry “lasagne” finished with a white chocolate drizzle right before serving. It’s impressive and tastes even better than it looks—one of those dishes worth making if you want a crowd-pleasing, patriotic dessert.
After the food, drinks, and competitive watersliding wind down, everyone gathers on the back porch and patio to watch the fireworks that John organizes. The displays get bigger each year; the hosts follow local rules and keep a fire extinguisher nearby. There was one small table fire once, but it was handled quickly and safely.
That’s Justine and John’s annual, unapologetically extra, and absolutely fun Fourth of July party. If you’re someone who runs a personal Pinterest board in your head, take inspiration from their creativity: themed food, playful props, and wholehearted hosting make for great memories. The fireworks always make me a little sentimental—gathering with friends and family is rare and precious—so thank you, J&J, for another year of memories (and for keeping the photobooth props stacked and ready).
P.S. Wanna see the most extra thing I’ve ever done for a patriotic party? There’s a watermelon trick I tried years ago that still makes me smile.