Are you spending Independence Day on the water? If you’re celebrating by boat, there are a few fun ways you can take your party or get-together to the next level. In today’s blog, we’re taking a look at five festive ideas.

Dress up the sides of your boat with red, white and blue bunting

In 1777, our young nation celebrated the Fourth of July in a big way. Parades, speeches, music and fun lasted throughout the day, and people decorated ships with bunting in patriotic red, white and blue. You can follow in tradition and do the same on your Monterey boat! For a more handcrafted flair, you can also assemble a string of red, white and blue cardstock stars to hang on the side of your boat. Whether you’re taking part in a local parade or simply want to show off your patriotic spirit at the marina, you can be sure that your fellow boaters will notice this show of pride.

Serve a Fourth of July fruit salad

For an easy snack that’s as visually appealing as it is delicious to eat, why not craft a tasty Fourth of July fruit salad to serve on board? Fill up cups with cool blueberries, watermelon chunks or strawberries, and frozen banana pieces and serve throughout your time on board.

Light up the night with colorful string lights

If you plan to entertain on board throughout the night, it’s always a good idea to have adequate lighting—and not just from the fireworks above! You can hang up colorful string lights (maybe even in fun star shapes) from your Bimini or T-top to accomplish this and set the atmosphere for a fun, relaxed Fourth of July party.

Toss around patriotic beach balls

Your on-board entertainment does not have to be complex to be fun. You can head to your local party store and pick up several patriotically-colored beach balls for your guests to toss in and around the water.

Provide your guests with simple flag fun

Finally, don’t forget about one of the simplest forms of patriotic pride—the flag! –for your on-board party. Supply guests with small flags they can wave around as you pass by fellow boaters or wow the crowds in your local parade.

We hope that these ideas bring a bit of fun and festivity to your on-board celebration. Have a very happy Fourth of July from all of us here at Monterey Boats!