How The Kelly’s Celebrate July 4th
It’s Fourth of July week, my favorite week of the year! Here’s how the Kelly’s celebrate July 4th:
For 9 years, we have hosted a huge celebration on the Fourth with our neighbors and friends. We have about 17 guests who drive up from Atlanta and St. Augustine to stay the week. The Fourth is a week full of non-stop laughter, cooking, playing games, swimming, watching the kids play, and celebrating with a neighborhood-wide ‘Johnsonville Parade’. Making new memories with these lifelong friends is an amazing tradition.
With 22 people staying in my home, I have to get creative with entertainment, food and things to do around the city.
One of our Rock Hill traditions is to attend “Red, White & Boom.” We tailgate in the field across from The Mercantile, which as been one of our favorite spots to see the fireworks since before the shop was ever a dream. The kids bring a few balls to throw around and some sparklers to gear up for the huge display of fireworks that the city puts on. We throw out our blankets and turn up the music and enjoy the company. This year, we’ll have Cousins Maine Lobster food truck and Kona shaved Ice. It is the best place to watch the Red White and Boom fireworks. Grab a beer from Dust Off Brewing or a coffee from Knowledge Perk and shop around while you wait for the sun to fall.
The Johnsonville Parade begins and ends at our house; it has been going on for 43 years. Camp Cherokee busses in 200 kids to participate along with our neighbors and friends. The parade happens each July 4th at 12pm. Dress-up and join the parade walk with your family. All are welcome to walk the block; the parade begins on Forest Lane.
Back at home, the private party continues. With several professional chefs in our friend-group, food is always an amazing thing. We eat in shifts to make things run a little smoother when entertaining such a big group. The kids always eat first for each meal and once they’re finished and onto the next adventure, we adults sit down to eat. We always have snacks for the kids since they seem to be bottomless pits after swimming all day. We’ve gotten in the habit of setting up a snack area with bags popcorn, a fruit tray, yogurt, etc… for the kids to easily grab.
For the adults, we get creative. One of my favorite refreshers is Champagne Pops. A really easy recipe of champagne and sliced fruit. I typically use strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. Freeze early in the morning so that they’re ready to enjoy by the pool.
With so many guests in town, we’re proud to have such an amazing city to showcase. A newer addition to our celebratory week has been to rent the Comporium bikes and do a brew tour. Not only do I get to show them my city via bike, we get to taste our way through the town. Where else can you do that?! Download the Social Bicycles app and rent your bike ahead of time. Free for the first 2 hours. Just be sure your bikes find their way back to a hub.
Whether you enjoy a day on the boat, by the pool, riding bikes, or shopping with local businesses, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, there is something to do for everyone.
Stop by The Mercantile on Wednesday, 7/3, from 9AM-9PM; we’ll be happy to give you some ideas for your week of entertainment. We’ve got you covered from sunscreen, snacks, pool totes, cocktail mixes, a good book and games. Please note that the Mercantile will be closed on Thursday, July 4th as we observe our favorite holiday as a family!
RSVP today to join us at Red, White, & Boom; click here and mark yourself as going: https://www.facebook.com/events/334614160577979/.
Happy 4th From Our Family To Yours,
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