Every year on Instagram Stories I share photos from our friend’s insanely over-the-top Fourth of July party. After receiving so many requests for a single post with all the photos and the recipes she uses, we’re finally putting everything together. Our friend Justine and her husband John host these backyard soirees every year, and the only way to describe them is: EXTRA. They invite friends and their kids for a night of costumes, games, themed food, and fireworks—and it’s always one of the highlights of our summer.
Each year Justine sets up a sun tent and turns it into a makeshift photobooth with fabric, sparkly red tulle, and a banner down the back. It’s simple, but it makes for great photos that capture the party spirit.
The single best tip for a DIY photobooth: the props. Justine keeps a huge collection of props—oversized glasses, hats, wigs, beards, and inflatable accessories—that grows every year when she snaps up post-holiday sales. A diverse prop table makes the photobooth a huge hit with both kids and adults.
Longtime readers know Justine’s party mode is always “beast mode.” She once made custom cupcakes for our daughter’s 4th birthday weeks after our son was born—because hosting and crafting are her specialty. Her decorations even include oversized, inflatable presidents on the hanging daybed for a little absurd humor.
The kids always dive into the inflatables and use them as props in the yard—chaotic and hilarious in equal measure. Justine also has a wooden sign she brings out each July listing “food,” “waterslide,” “drinks,” “photobooth,” and more, which adds to the festive, slightly wedding-like atmosphere. Each year she ups the ante with new, silly additions that keep the party momentum going.
One signature attraction is a rented two-story waterslide for the kids—and the adults once the jello shooters appear. Watching slow-motion videos of adults attempting flips is a guaranteed laugh. In addition, there’s a competitive cornhole tournament and a strict costume code: red, white, and blue. Prizes for the best outfits keep everyone motivated to get creative.
Justine’s commitment shows in small details: she decorates flip-flops with ribbon, rolls silverware in bandanas tied with twine, and places a leather sofa on the lawn for photos and cornhole spectating. These touches make the backyard feel both cozy and intentionally festive.
The food follows a potluck model so the hosts aren’t overwhelmed: guests each bring a side to share and meat for their own families’ grills. With 20–30 people, the spread is massive and often themed—think blue corn chips with red salsa or layered dips arranged like a flag (refried beans, guacamole, cheese, sour cream, with tomatoes and olives on top).
Great simple bites include mozzarella, basil, and tomato skewers finished with blueberries for color and a drizzle of balsamic glaze; Lil’ Smokies (pigs in a blanket) that disappear quickly; and individually decorated waffle cones dipped in red, white, and blue chocolate with sprinkles—an absolute kid favorite.
For drinks, the adults enjoy layered red, white, and blue margaritas—even if the layering is more about speed than aesthetics—and the party includes jello shooters with cherries that make them easy to lift and enjoy. For the kids, Justine serves red, white, and blue smoothies in little mason jars with cute straws, which makes them wildly popular.
One dessert highlight is a no-bake “berry lasagne” layered with creamy fillings and topped with a white chocolate drizzle brought out right before serving. It’s a showstopper that tastes as good as it looks and disappears fast.
After dinner and the cornhole championships, everyone gathers on the back porch to watch the fireworks show that John takes pride in producing. The displays get bigger each year, and the hosts always follow safety precautions—fire extinguisher at the ready. Once the sky lights up, I always get a little mushy; it’s rare and special to spend time with friends and family we love.
That’s Justine and John’s annual Fourth of July party in a nutshell: festive, committed, and endlessly fun. If you’re planning your own patriotic gathering, borrow any ideas that fit your style—photobooth props, themed snacks, a waterslide, or even a simple wooden sign pointing guests to the fun. It’s the people and the shared moments that make the night memorable, and we’re so grateful to J & J for bringing us all together year after year.
P.S. If you try any of these ideas at your own Fourth of July party—tag your photos and savor the memories. Parties like this are worth repeating.