Summer is a great time to enjoy friends, family, and food! The longer days and warmer nights make everything better, and living in a community where everyone has their own deck and/or backyard space makes it easy to entertain and have the best summer, every summer. It’s so cool to walk around the neighborhood and see neighbors cooking out and having get togethers. It’s also cool to get an invite so don’t forget to invite your neighbors!

It doesn’t matter if you have a top of the line grill or a small smoker, grilled food brings out the best in everyone. Hot dogs, hamburgers, and skewers are grilling classics, but the grilling menu has expanded far beyond these basics. Check out a few of the BBQ and grilling recipes we found here to expand your summer menu. Also, remember that safety is first! ABC News released a 2018 Grilling Safety Tip list that we should all check out as a safety refresher before firing up this summer.

Another thing about this time of year is the celebration of the Fourth and fireworks. Some states allow personal fireworks, but in Maryland they are not legal unless they are a part of a public display approved by the local fire department. There is a complete ban on consumer fireworks in Prince George’s County, but don’t let that stop you as there are many places close by to see them with friends and family. The DC area is a wonderful place to celebrate July Fourth, so check out some of our favorite locations closest to Parkside below!

  • Six Flags America is having a July 4th Fest from June 30th – July 4th! They will have fireworks every night.
  • Waldorf, MD celebrates July 4th with musical entertainment and local food. Waldorf is close to Parkside for those who don’t want to travel too far from home.
  • Annapolis Harbor will have a firework display and a parade on the 4th. This sounds fun!
  • Baltimore Inner Harbor will host an event with live music and fireworks which is a great location for fireworks, if you don’t mind the 45-minute ride.
  • The National Mall in Washington, DC is an amazing experience to see fireworks. There are various locations to see them from DC but it takes a bit more time and planning to ensure you have a good time. It can be worth it as it’s an experience you and your family won’t soon forget. It’s best to take metro and leave out early for a good spot. There is also a parade earlier in the day.

For a complete Forth of July Washington, DC metro area guide, click here.

Have a safe and fun time!

It feels good to live in a neighborhood that cares.

 

This post was contributed by Parkside Westphalia homeowner, Yana B of StyleStamped. If you have ideas for future blog posts or have community information to share, please contact Yana B