Tuesday’s Top Ten ~ 4th of July Parade Essentials

by Cindy Bultema | Jun 28, 2011 | Uncategorized | 5 comments

If you haven’t signed up for my Carol Kent book GIVEAWAY it’s not too late! Be sure to join the fun!

It’s almost the 4th of July. Woo Hoo!

One of my favorite traditions is to start the day attending a 4th of July Parade (actually we attend two!). I love it!

Here are my Top 10 “must haves” when heading to a 4th of July Parade ~

1. Blanket ~ Of course a red, white, or blue blanket works best 🙂

2. Color sheets and Markers ~ We like to grab a parade spot early, so I bring color sheets and markers to keep the kiddos busy while we wait for the parade to start.

You can print color sheets here.

3. Lunch bags (for parade candy) ~ I pack white paper lunch bags for the kids to catch the candy (and markers for the kids to decorate the bags while we wait for the parade to start).

Be sure to bring extra bags…you’ll be surprised at how many extra kids will head your way when they see you having lots of decorating fun!

4. Nail Polish ~ I also pack a bag filled with red nail polish, white nail polish, blue nail polish, cotton balls, and nail polish remover to the parade. I love painting my girls nails/toes before the parade. What fun!

5. Donuts/Drinks ~ OK, you may think I’m crazy, but one year I searched all over town for the most festive 4th of July donuts. I found them!

Now, every 4th of July I get up early, go to my favorite bakery, and buy dozens of cute, colorful donuts. I pack a picnic basket with the donuts, flag napkins, drinks, etc.. and have a “mini tailgate” before the parade. I love it!

We rarely have donuts, so it’s a very special treat for my kids. And I love having extras to share with parade friends!

6. Party supplies (leis, fun sunglasses, hats, etc.) ~ Fun! Fun! Fun!

7. Tatoos ~ Another fun idea for the kids while we wait for the parade to start.

8. Sunblock ~ Not exciting, but definitely an essential!

9. Flags ~ Be sure to have plenty of flags to pass out and wave in celebration!

10. Camera ~ You won’t want to miss a moment of the fun!

How do you celebrate the 4th? Do you go to any parades? What’s on your Parade Essentials list? I’d love to hear from you!

And if you live in West Michigan and don’t have a parade plan yet, let me know. I’d love to have you join us!

Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles*! Have a Terrific Tuesday!!

P.S. For more great Top Ten lists, hop over and visit Oh Amanda!

P.S.S. I created a “Parade Checklist” that I print off before the parade (I don’t want to forget anything in all my excitement!). If this would be a helpful resource, send me a quick email at cindy.bultema@gmail.com. I’d be happy to forward it to you!! Happy Parading! 🙂

5 Comments

Leah @ Point Ministries on June 28, 2011 at 2:41 pm

You are my ultimate party girl blogfriend!!! I did my own Top Ten list over at The Point. Thanks for the idea.
Reply
Amelia on June 28, 2011 at 4:49 pm

What a great list! If we weren't going to the in-laws we'd totally join you!
Reply
Meredith M on June 28, 2011 at 9:29 pm

My favorite parade has always been the Grandville 4th of July parade because you always get alot of candy. I have gone almost every year since I was little. They even have Warthog planes fly over every year 🙂 and then they have fireworks at night.
Reply
Christine on June 29, 2011 at 2:04 am

You're getting me excited for the 4th! We always go to a local orchestra open air concert with great patriotic music and then to fireworks nearby. We love it!
Reply
Jen @ BigBinder on June 29, 2011 at 3:25 pm

I love this! I'm linking it to my 4th of July post.
Reply

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I’m Cindy—wife, mom, ministry leader, speaker, author & overcomer.

I love coffee, celebrations, & all things sparkly, and believe being real is the only way to live. Once upon a time I was a hopeless addict, but God…
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President, Speak Up Ministries

"Cindy Bultema is a breath of fresh air! With vulnerable openness, gut-level honesty, down-home humor, and timeless biblical truth, her spoken and written words will inspire you to take an action step toward fresh faith and renewed hope. Cindy ministers on and off the platform with personal warmth and genuine compassion. As a speaker, author, and mentor to many, Cindy has my highest recommendation!"

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Shari Hulcy, Women's Ministries Director
Woodside Bible Church, White Lake, MI

"As women's ministry leaders know, finding a speaker who is Right AND Relevant is quite a task. God led us to Cindy last spring as a speaker for our fall retreat at Mackinac Island. Even then, I did not realize what a gifted messenger she would be. With almost 70 women present, Cindy mentioned each woman at least once by name throughout her sessions. She did not shrink back from telling her testimony, as difficult as it must have been. And she opened the book of Revelation to our ladies with insight and application like few women I have ever heard. Thank you, Cindy for marking this retreat as a milestone in women's ministries at Woodside Bible Church. Praying we will never be the same."

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Karen Ehman, Director of Speakers for Proverbs 31 Ministries; Author

"Experiencing Cindy speak will awaken you to timeless truths of scripture made relevant to your life today. Her amazing story of transformation, coupled with her solid biblical teaching -- not to mention her contagious smile -- will find you walking away in love with her perfect Savior."

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Suzanne Reinink, Director of Adult Ministries
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Suzanne Reinink, Director of Adult Ministries
Sunshine Community Church, Grand Rapids, MI

"You will find no one more highly motivated to see lives changed by God’s love and grace than Cindy. Cindy’s enthusiasm for the Lord is contagious and many women have testified that she has ministered to them from the message she delivered. Cindy’s personal testimony has been one of transformation for God’s Glory. She continues be used by God through her testimony for the many women who have had similar life circumstances and for others who can see what God can do!"

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Tuesday’s Top Ten ~ 4th of July Parade Essentials

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