With America’s Independence Day and National Picnic Month both on the calendar, opportunities abound for members of the Waterford Crossings community to enjoy food, fun, and fireworks this July in and around Nashville, Tennessee!
Celebrate With Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th
Plan to celebrate our great nation with your family and friends by taking in one of the most powerful fireworks shows in the country over the Cumberland River at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4, 2024. It will be the culmination of a day of food, fun, and entertainment provided by Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th.
Before then, there will be live performances in Music City Walk of Fame Park starting at 11 a.m., which is also where the family fun zone will be open from noon to 5 p.m. That’s when the main show at the Jack Daniel’s Broadway Stage at First and Broadway will begin with remarks, patriotic songs, and Color Guard presentation. Multi-platinum global entertainer Chris Young will headline the show at 8:05 p.m.
The Nashville Symphony Orchestra at Ascend Amphitheater then will provide the concert soundtrack to the fireworks and drone show.
Note: The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and the Woodland Street Bridge will be closed to all traffic and pedestrians beginning at 8 p.m. They will reopen after the event at the discretion of Metro Nashville Police Department.
National Picnic Month
Sometimes summer sunshine just screams out for a picnic, which is probably why the American Bakers Association picked July as National Picnic Month way back in 1952.
The Waterford Crossings Idea Specialists™ did a little research and found that the word picnic comes from the French word piquenique, which eventually came to refer to mid-18th-century al fresco French dining.
In today’s world, a picnic can be something as simple as sandwiches and soft drinks on a sun deck by one of the three sparkling Waterford Crossings resort-style pools, or as over the top as an Insta-worthy luxury picnic delivered by companies specializing in creating memorable experiences. Locally, Picnic PopUp offers curated packages for unforgettable gatherings.
Picnicking In And Around Nashville
There are plenty of places for you to plan your own picnic in this lovely part of Tennessee, including Cane Ridge Park, which is conveniently located to Waterford Crossings. If you want to venture just a little farther afield, Do615 has a great list of suggested locations, including those classics, the Parthenon and the Hermitage (which is dog-friendly!)
Grilling & Chilling
Of course the Idea Specialists™ are going to have some suggestions for you when it comes to picnic-appropriate food and drink!
First, though, check out this awesome Picnic Time combo BBQ Kit Cooler from Target they found. In addition to its large capacity for ice and drinks, it features an eight-piece stainless steel grill set that includes everything from tongs and a spatula to a cutting board and corkscrew. And because of its shoulder strap, it’s imminently portable—thus perfect for a picnic at the community poolside barbecue area. Sweet!
Before you head out to wherever you’re going to spread your picnic blanket, whip up a to-go pitcher of this luscious Summertime Rosé Tequila Sangria. And depending on what you’re in the mood for, maybe one—or four, or a lot more—of these Pioneer Woman picnic foods. Cowboy caviar, loaded potato salad, chef’s salad on a stick, and blueberry bars all will go with whatever you decide to grill—ribs, chicken, burgers, YUM.
Summer’s Bounty
The Waterford Crossings Idea Specialists™ will definitely be heading back to the Nashville Farmers’ Market for some more homegrown tomatoes now that they’ve seen this Garden & Gun article for delicious recipes for everything from tomato pudding to cracker salad. They’ll be taking that salad, and some green tomato chowchow, on their picnic, for sure.
And Speaking Of Garden & Gun
If you’re not already familiar with this quintessentially Southern magazine, check out their Instagram feed to get a feel for what it’s all about. And maybe have a little fun with their “You Might Be a Southerner If…..” quiz.
Enjoy!
