Celebrate The 4th of July Your Way
Written By: Dianna Armand
This will be a 4th of July Celebration like no other. After over a year of uncertainty the idea of celebrating life again is exciting. There are so many options to have a great time on the 4th, and not all of them require a large group of people with pricey tickets. We at Seed Peoples Market, love celebrations that are focussed on enjoying your friends, family, the outdoors and most of all making memories.
So let’s get outside and celebrate the 4th of July. How about a backyard celebration, but with a twist? Something different than the standard BBQ. Maybe a backyard olympics party? This is guaranteed to be a great time for adults and children alike. Create a few games around your yard (front or back), break into teams. Each team will have a score sheet, and need to complete each game at least once. When everyone has rotated through all the games, total the score and see who is the winning team. If you set this up in the front yard, you may be surprised at the neighbors you meet.
Speaking of neighbors, how about a neighborhood bike parade. Invite your friends and neighbors to come over and decorate then ride their bikes through the neighborhood. Provide the basics, streamers, balloons, etc. You can reward them with a cool 4th of July themed drink at the end or the journey. 
You want to get out of the city you say? We'll let’s go!
How about camping for the family and friends, including the 4 legends of course, at a local campsite. Most cities in Southern California have a campsite just an hour or so away. This is a perfect escape especially if your pup is frightened by the loud noises on the 4th. There is nothing better than sitting around the campfire, cooking dinner, making some festive cocktails and watching the stars. After all, those stars in the dark night sky are the greatest light show of all.
Are you a little antsy from being away from people for so long and want to celebrate with something a little more flashy? There are some great local events that are happening this year. Here are just a few that will be a blast. The City of Huntington Beach is continuing the 117 year tradition of the largest celebration west of the Mississippi. This includes neighborhood decoration contests, a parade , a beer and wine garden and food trucks. Newport Beach is hosting the 10th Annual 4th of July is for Families Newport Peninsula Bike Parade and Festival. This event includes carnival games, music, food and much more. Last but not least Dana Point brags the Best Southern California Fireworks display. The fireworks are shot from a barge on the water, off the coast line of Doheny State Beach. If you are anywhere along the coastline of the OC, just look up between 5:00 and 5:55pm. The Condor Squadron will do their annual flyby in WWII airplanes starting in Huntington Beach and ending in San Clemente.
Whether you decide to create your own fireworks display in one of the OC cities that allow fireworks or just choose to chill at home with a few close friends, make this 4th a celebration to remember.
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Time to start planting! Grab your favorite vessel, a bag of good soil (ask your local nursery associate), some small stones and choose your plant. The stones will be necessary to to ensure that you have drainage, especially if you are using a non traditional vessel or pot It is best to put a 2 to 3 inch layer of small stones on the bottom. This layer of stones will help to prevent your roots from sitting in soggy soil. If there is an excess water it will drain through the soil, and sit in the stones like a reservoir.