Red, White and Blue All Over: Find Your Favorite Way to Cheer on Team USA

Start your patriotic parties this July 4th weekend, but here’s some ideas to keep the enthusiasm for the stars and stripes going strong as Team USA competes against 206 nations for gold in the summer Olympics starting July 26. 

 

This summer is all about celebrating this sweet land of liberty we call home: From BBQs and fireworks for Independence Day to the 2024 Summer Olympics that kick off in France in late July, Americans have so many reasons to raise a glass (or our limited edition USA-themed Treks) and give three cheers to this great nation.

Here’s some fun ways to throw Olympics viewing parties that will keep your sparkles lit all summer long:

1. Host an Opening Ceremony party featuring foods from France:

Do we really need an excuse to indulge in the foods France has made famous? From baguettes and croissants and a cheese plate full of brie and chevre to dessert bites like macarons and eclairs or something hearty like Coq au Vin or Ratatouille, you’re French-cuisine inspired Olympics party would be a decadent escape from America. Throw in some berets for guests, and this food-centered good time is sure to win gold.

Add a toast with a true Champagne from the Champagne region in France for an elegant touch. Here’s an easy Champagne cocktail recipe:

Peach Bellini
Ingredients:
Peach purée, champagne

Pure about one ounce peach purée in a flute and top with Champagne. 

2. Hold The 2024 Backyard Kid Olympics:
With little setup, you can host your own version of the Olympics right in your backyard. First, while you prep, have your kids cut yellow, silver and bronze circles out of coordinating construction paper. Make paper clip chains to loop through the circles for medals. Then, invite their friends, cousins, teammates and anyone else who is ready to compete.

The summer Olympics are filled with events you can modify for backyard fun: Have them sprint from one fence to the other. Tie towels to broom handles for fencing. Give them 15 minutes to come up with their own rhythmic gymnastics routines. A quick net can create a volleyball court. Grab a kiddie archery set and place the target on a chair 10 feet away, or further for older kids. With the Olympics on in the background, and plenty of kids’ hydration options on the table for America’s hot summer days, your kids will want to compete every day to see who wins gold. 

Make the medals: 
Supplies:
Three sheets of gold, silver or gray and bronze or reddish brown construction paper, scissors, paper clips, round cup, pencil or marker

Take the cup and trace circles on all colors of paper. Cut the circles out and set aside. Take the paper clips and loop one end around the other until secure. Repeat until you have a chain. Before closing the last loop, pierce one end of the paper clip through the construction paper circle. Repeat the process until all necklaces are made.

3. Organize a pool party Michael Phelps would want to attend.
By many accounts, swimming is the most popular and most viewed summer Olympics sport, so host your own viewing party from the water and join the millions of other Americans watching as well. With either an outdoor TV or an outdoor movie screen (even a sheet will do), watch America’s 52 Olympic swimmers battle for gold as you float and stay thematically hydrated.

Keep the kids active while you float: Set up baby Olympic lanes by laying pool noodles on the water or garland, yarn or string above the water and see who is fastest. Instead of lengthwise on the pool, keep the lanes going across the shortest part of the pool and in the shallow end. And, make sure each kid Olympian can stand, take breaks and has someone watching at all times. Throw out purely American food for this party: hotdogs, burgers, watermelon – whatever is easy to eat poolside. This party is about celebrating America, relaxing and watching other people swim fast.

Make an outdoor movie screen:
Supplies needed: One white sheet, wo wooden poles, hammer, staple gun

Iron sheet. Take two poles and drive into ground about 6-8 inches. (If the ground is too hard or you’d rather not place the poles in the ground, you can get two buckets or planters, fill with rocks or concrete and place the poles in the buckets to stabilize the poles.) Once poles are secure, stretch the sheet across the poles and staple in place along the length of the pole. Make sure the sheet is as taut as possible. Then, cast the Olympics from your phone or cable-ready movie projector.