Homeowners’ associations can host budget-friendly Fourth of July celebrations while still creating unforgettable memories and fostering a sense of community among residents. Boards can achieve this by setting a realistic budget and sticking to it. Sure, they may need to make compromises, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make these events fun.
Ideas for a Budget-Friendly Fourth of July in HOAs
Events don’t have to be expensive and flashy to be good. There are a lot of things an HOA can do to bring people together while celebrating Independence Day. Here are the best budget-friendly Fourth of July celebration ideas for the community.
- Neighborhood Bike and Wagon Parade. Kids can decorate their bikes, scooters, and wagons before taking them for a ride around the community. The board can even offer a small prize to the most creative one.
- Patriotic Potluck Picnic. Residents can bring dishes to share with attendees at a picnic. For its part, the HOA can provide simple items such as water, napkins, and basic utensils.
- Outdoor Movie Night. The HOA can set up a projector and screen in a common area to show family-friendly, patriotic films. Residents are welcome to bring blankets, chairs, and snacks of their own.
- National Parade Watch Party. If a movie night isn’t in the cards, the HOA can plan a watch party of the National Independence Day Parade instead.
- DIY Games and Lawn Activities. The HOA can use existing items to plan games such as sack races, cornhole, three-legged races, and water balloon tosses.
- Patriotic House Decorating Contest. Residents can decorate their homes or balconies in the theme of the Fourth of July. The HOA can appoint judges to select the winner of categories such as “Most Creative,” “Best Decorated,” and “Best Lawn.”
- Trivia or Bingo Night. The HOA can host a simple game night with American history trivia or themed bingo. Small prizes work great.
- Flag-Raising and Pledge Ceremony. The HOA can start the morning with a flag-raising ceremony, followed by the national anthem, and conclude with a moment of community reflection.
How to Organize a Budget-Friendly Fourth of July Celebration
It’s easy to spitball ideas for community events, but the real work begins during the planning stage. Here are the best tips for planning a budget-friendly Fourth of July celebration.
1. Set a Realistic Budget
Since the HOA aims to keep spending low, it’s essential to begin with a realistic budget. Determine how much the association can afford to set aside for the event. Then, allocate funds to key items such as food, entertainment, decorations, and safety.
Setting a budget isn’t enough. The association should also adhere to it as best as possible. If something is too expensive, consider cheaper or free alternatives. Look into areas where the board can compromise.
2. Use Common Areas 
The association board doesn’t have to look too far for a venue. By hosting the celebration in HOA-owned spaces, the board can save money on rental fees.
Choose the clubhouse, the community park, or a pool area — whatever is most appropriate for the type of event. Aside from saving on costs, the HOA can also encourage a higher turnout since residents don’t have to travel far.
3. Ask for Volunteers
Don’t hesitate to tap into the talents of the community and ask for volunteers to help plan everything. Recruiting residents will enable the HOA to save money on setup, cleanup, games, and food service.
If the HOA doesn’t already have one, it’s a good idea to form an events committee for this purpose. The events committee can also take over the planning and budgeting for all future events. The HOA board doesn’t have to do everything alone.
4. Skip the Catering
Professional catering costs money. To avoid large food expenses, the association can ask residents to bring a dish or drink to share with the community instead.
Offering a sign-up sheet will prevent duplicates of the same dish from being served. Alternatively, the board can invite local vendors or food trucks to sell their food.
5. Keep Entertainment Simple
Professional bands and performers tend to come with a high talent fee. Instead of booking them, use the sound system and a curated playlist for the music. The association can even invite a local high school band or dancers.
Other forms of budget-friendly Fourth of July entertainment include DIY face painting, sack races or cornhole, and sidewalk chalk art. The HOA doesn’t have to spend too much for families to enjoy themselves.
6. Skip the Fireworks
Fireworks might offer a beautiful nighttime display, but they are both expensive and risky. Instead, the board can hand out glow sticks to light up the evening. Decorations can also include string lights for added ambiance.
7. Decorate With Reusables
It’s important to invest in reusable decorations. These include banners, flags, and tablecloths in patriotic colors. This way, associations won’t have to keep buying new decorations every year. Families can bring their own chairs and picnic baskets, too.
8. Partner With Local Businesses
Local businesses are always seeking to connect with their community. The board can reach out to these businesses for sponsorships, donations, discounted goods and services, raffle prizes, and gift cards. It’s a good way to foster relationships with local vendors while staying on budget.
9. Use Available Communication Channels
No event is complete without attendees, and an HOA can only ensure a high attendance rate if it markets the event properly. It’s essential to promote the event early to give residents enough time to adjust their schedules. It’s equally vital to promote the event frequently, especially as the date approaches, to remind everyone and potentially attract last-minute attendees.
In this digital age, marketing is as easy as pushing a few buttons. The board should utilize existing channels, such as email, social media, and community websites, to promote the event. The HOA can also set aside a small sum for printed flyers.
Fun on a Budget
There are many ways to organize a budget-friendly Fourth of July event in an HOA community. Board members should keep these tips and ideas in mind, especially as Independence Day approaches. Associations don’t have to break the bank to create memorable celebrations together.
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