Fantastic fireworks and good food shared with family and friends are two key ingredients for a successful Fourth of July, and the Waterford Crossings team in Nashville, Tennessee, is here with the recipe!
Let Freedom Sing!
Make plans now to celebrate Independence Day at Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th, the free family-friendly event in downtown Nashville. This Fourth of July will feature one of the largest fireworks shows in the country, with the pyrotechnics and a drone display over the Cumberland River synchronized to a live performance by the GRAMMY-winning Nashville Symphony at Ascend Amphitheater. The grand finale is scheduled for Friday, July 4, 2025, at 9:30 p.m.
Multi-platinum country superstar Dierks Bentley will headline the music lineup outside of the fireworks show. Russell Dickerson, Niko Moon, Grace Bowers, Keesha Rainey, and more will also perform.
And don’t forget the Amazon Family Fun Zone at Music City Walk of Fame Park!
The Perfect Picnic
The Waterford Crossings team asked * the Idea Specialists™ * what they would pack for the perfect picnic to take on a July outing. They said they’re big fans of the Real Simple Picnic Checklist, which includes everything from reminders to take bug spray and a portable speaker to suggestions for food and beverages. The best advice from Real Simple? “Picnic fare is all about food that will taste great whether you eat it now or two hours from now. It should be easy to eat and clean up. And the less utensils needed, the better.” Amen to that!
And, the Idea Specialists™ are in agreement that every picnic basket should contain something sweet and something savory. Small portions are better than large—easier to manage on a plate, or, even better on a skewer, like these fun—and patriotic!—peanut butter and jelly skewers from Weelicious. You could do this with just about any kind of sandwich. Heck, you could even do a skewer alternating bites of your favorite brownies and chocolate chip cookies with fruit. (Which of course you should pick up at the Nashville Farmers’ Market on Rosa L. Parks Boulevard.)
Now, everybody thinks they’ve got the best recipe for chocolate chip cookies in the world. We’re not going to argue, because so do we! But we are going to suggest that everyone give Ovenly’s Secretly Vegan Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies a try. Oh my heavens at the melty goodness!
Ooey-Gooey Cheesy Goodness
And speaking of recipes and goodness, everybody also has their favorite macaroni and cheese, right? Just like grandma used to make—unless your grandma preferred that box of instant with the powdered orange stuff in it. Not that we’re judging. We listen, and we don’t judge.
We’re talking about macaroni and cheese now not because it’s a great picnic food (cold macaroni salad works better for that), but because Monday, July 14, 2025, is…..drum roll, please…..National Mac and Cheese Day!
Yep, America’s classic comfort food has its own day. Nobody’s sure quite how or why, but you can read about the history of the dish and its connection to U.S. President Thomas Jefferson. And then you can take advantage of your upscale Waterford Crossings kitchen to make Southern Living’s Best-Ever Homemade Macaroni and Cheese.
Cheers!
You can’t have a picnic, whether at the Fourth of July celebration or on by one of our luxury apartment home community’s three gorgeous resort-style pools, without something to quench your thirst. If you want more than just a plain Coke and a smile, try the popular Kalimotxo cocktail—a mix of Coca-Cola and red wine. Men’s Journal says the drink got its start in the Basque region of Spain, and now there are multiple variations on the theme.
Remember, whatever you drink, don’t bring glass to the pool!
And while there’s nothing wrong with a classic red SOLO 18-ounce party cup, why not treat yourself to some fun tumblers like these 24-ounce reusable thick plastic sunflower cups from Amazon? They come complete with straw and lid, perfect for sipping without spilling!
Be safe, have fun!
* The Idea Specialists™ *
The Idea Specialists™ is a group of design and inspiration professionals with a focus on communications for the luxury apartment home industry, as well as custom lifestyle planning and more.
