People were out and about in a big way for the 4th of July this year. There were packed stadiums, big concerts, full campgrounds, fireworks, and tons of events coast to coast.
Ever curious about what we can learn from all this? We looked into all the fun ways people celebrated and made some notes on a few trends that caught our eye. Spoiler alert. It’s the 4th, so lots of outdoor ideas here! But where else are you going to see fireworks?
Gone camping!
The Meadow Campground and Coffee House in New London, Missouri was booked solid for the 4th of July. This makes sense since the general mood right now is to get out of the house, away from screens. And do pretty much the opposite of 2020.
Spaces like Meadow Campground are also great places for events. “We’ve had a number of concerts in the past and the outdoor movies are something we’re hoping to start up here pretty soon.”
With things like #vanlife, off-grid living, and everything outdoorsy that is pretty well established in the culture lately. We could see camping as the next big event trend. Just don’t forget the smores. And the bug spray!
A new hot dog eating record.
Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest returned in-person this year. The contest usually takes place at Nathan’s store in Coney Island. This year was held at a minor league baseball stadium to meet local event guidelines. Which we think is pretty cool.
Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, ate 76 hot dogs and buns to win the contest and set a new world record. About his victory, he said to ESPN, “It just felt good […] Even if I was uncomfortable, having everybody cheer me and push me, it made me feel good.”
We understand that it takes a bit more work to make in-person events happen right now, but remember that events are opportunities to push ourselves, and reach new goals Even if that goal is eating a lot of hot dogs. It’s the event that helps us get there.
Free concerts with big bands.
Coldplay played a free show in Long Island City for a Macy’s Fourth of July party. About 8000 New Yorkers were in attendance, and tickets were open to anyone who was over 18 and vaccinated.
Live music has been so scarce over the last year that we’re not too surprised to see a high-profile free show like this pop-up out of nowhere. A big free concert like this is also a great way for brands to build new audiences and give back after a hard year
Organizers may want to consider putting on a free concert not just for event attendees, but also for anyone in the neighborhood. It would only bring more attention to your event, your brand, and be a lot of fun. All good things.
Baseball everywhere.
The Alaskan Baseball League came back with a doubleheader this 4th of July after canceling the entire 2020 season. The first pitch went out between the Anchorage Bucs and Anchorage Glacier Pilots at 7pm and the event ended with fireworks at midnight.
To have baseball back for the 4th means a lot. Stadiums were packed coast to coast. Also, from an organizer standpoint, the baseball stadium really shines as a venue right now. It’s outdoors, there’s lights, sound, plenty of space for everyone.
We think a baseball stadium would be a great spot for team-building activities — maybe some batting practice, or even a couple of innings. It may be tough to book an event at a major stadium, but check out the minor leagues or colleges. It would be a fun space for a summer event.
Charity bike rides.
The Freedom Ride, a bike to support veterans in Blair County, PA., returned with this 4th of July event after taking a year off. To date, this local tradition has raised over $100,000 dollars ($22,000 in 2021), 100 percent of which goes directly to its cause.
When organizing an event, a bike ride might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it can actually be a very good option in 2021, especially for charity and fundraising events.
Riding around on bikes is also a great way for people to chat and meet outside of a normal event setting. It’s also fun and puts people in a good mood. These are all things that will help support your cause and create a stronger sense of community among your attendees.
Movies under the stars.
The Cinespia outdoor movie series in Los Angeles screened the 4th of July special Dazed and Confused for a sold-out crowd. There were lots of bell bottoms, people hanging out, and fireworks. Everything you want for the 4th, right?
We’ve covered the outdoor movie concept quite a bit this summer, maybe even too much, but it really is a great event option. Many outdoor cinemas, like Rooftop Cinema Club, are actually available to host private events.
We could see something like this as a perfect afterparty option — as opposed to renting indoor venue space or worrying about indoor capacity restrictions. It’s unique, fun, and reminds people that it’s all about just L-I-V-I-N.
Good times all around.
The 4th of July this year had lots to learn from and to get excited about. From camping to free concerts, we were inspired by so many events and ways that people celebrated. If there’s one thing we learned here, it’s that this year’s 4th was good times all around. The way it should be. Interested in s’more ideas for getting people excited about going back to live events? Check out this article.