How to Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Independence Day
Free ideas, food inspiration from sea to shining sea, and one hot dog that will change your life. (Some links are affiliate links)
This year marks something big. Two hundred and fifty years ago, a group of people signed a document that changed the world. Whether you’re planning a backyard cookout, a family gathering, or just looking for ways to make this summer feel more meaningful, America’s 250th anniversary is worth celebrating in style.
Here’s a full guide to celebrating America 250 — covering merchandise, food ideas inspired by the whole country, and family activities that go beyond just watching fireworks.
America 250 Merchandise
Stores are already full of red, white, and blue, but if you want something with a little more personality, there are some great options.
Unique America 250 shirts: My niece, an up-and-coming graphic design student, has created two designs worth checking out — one featuring a “Sea to Shining Sea” jellyfish design, and one highlighting the 250th anniversary with a flag. Links are in the video description.
Channel merchandise: I’ve also designed an America 250 hat (click here for youth sizes), ultimate frisbee, and pickleball paddle — great for staying active while celebrating. All linked in the description.
America 250 Food Ideas: Sea to Shining Sea
The best way to honor a country this big? Pull inspiration from all of it.
Texas: Brisket Burger
Start with your classic burger — then top it with brisket. That one addition brings Texas barbecue energy to any backyard cookout without requiring an entire smoker setup.
New York: Cheesecake (The Easy Way)
No shame in buying a New York-style cheesecake from the grocery store. Own that decision. It’s a classic for a reason.
The South: Mac and Cheese
For a side dish with serious southern charm, go with baked mac and cheese — real cheese, baked in the oven. The blue box has its place, but not at an anniversary party.
Idaho: Potato Salad
Any Idahoan will tell you: potato salad belongs on the table. Use red potatoes. Idaho is famous for its russets, but for potato salad, red potatoes are the move. Click here to go to Grandma’s Potato Salad recipe.
California: Orange Julius
The Orange Julius was originally created in Los Angeles, and it’s the perfect refreshing drink for a hot July day. Simple blender recipe from Simply Recipes.
The Chicago-Style Hot Dog: A Game Changer
This deserves its own section, because once you eat a Chicago-style hot dog, a regular hot dog with ketchup and mustard will never quite hit the same.
Here’s how to make one at home.
The Bun
Authentic Chicago-style hot dogs use poppy seed buns. If you’re in Illinois, you may find them at the grocery store. If not, here’s the workaround:
- Melt butter and brush it onto your buns
- Sprinkle poppy seeds on top
- Bake at 350°F for about 5 minutes (in the video I use a Time Timer)
The seeds stick, the bun gets slightly crispy, and it works beautifully. (Technically, authentic Chicago buns are steamed — but this version holds its own.)
The Hot Dog
Use a 100% beef hot dog. In Chicago, Vienna Beef is the standard. Use your favorite brand. Cook it on the grill, a Blackstone griddle, or an air fryer at 400°F for 5–6 minutes.
“Dragging It Through the Garden”
That’s Chicago slang for loading up the toppings. Here’s the full lineup:
- Yellow mustard
- Chopped white onion
- Bright green sweet relish (more on this below)
- A dill pickle spear
- Tomato wedges
- Sport peppers — or substitute banana peppers or pepperoncini
- A dash of celery salt
Do not put ketchup on this hot dog. You have tomatoes. You’re covered.
The Secret: Neon Green Relish with Mint
Chicago dogs are famous for their bright green relish. Here’s how to make it at home:
- Take a squeeze bottle of sweet relish
- Add a couple drops of green food dye
- Add 1–2 drops of mint extract
- Secure the lid and shake
Yes — mint extract. This is the part that sounds strange and tastes surprisingly right. You won’t bite into it thinking “I taste mint.” It’s subtle, but it adds something that pulls the whole experience together. Don’t knock it until you try it.
Flag Cake: The Classic America 250 Dessert
This one comes from my mom, who made it every summer growing up.
How to make Flag Cake:
- Make a white cake from a box mix — and yes, add the cake mix to the batter (more on why that’s worth saying in a moment)
- Top the baked cake with whipped topping or Cool Whip
- Arrange blueberries and strawberries on top in the pattern of an American flag
Simple, beautiful, festive, and kids love helping decorate it.
A note on the cake mix: When my sisters were young, they wanted to surprise our older brother with a birthday cake. The box said to blend the ingredients. They used a blender. They put it in the oven. It didn’t look right. They called our oldest sister, who walked them through every ingredient — eggs, oil, water — before the fateful question: “You did add the cake mix, right?”
They had not.
The cake mix was then sprinkled on top of the already-baking scrambled eggs. The surprise birthday cake was, in fact, very surprising. The cake mix goes in the batter. This is important information.
In the video I mention the LIFETIME convertible bench, I absolutely love this bench, check it out!
America 250 Family Activities
The 250th anniversary deserves more than one day. Here are some ways to make the whole summer feel like a celebration:
- Play games together — board games, yard games, cards. Whatever gets everyone off their phones.
- Spend time outside. Simple and underrated.
- Create a list of 250 things you’re grateful for as a family. It sounds ambitious. Push past the obvious ones and see what comes up.
- Walk 250 miles this summer. That’s just under 3 miles a day for the whole summer — completely doable.
- Try the Conqueror virtual challenges. Walk, run, or bike any distance, track your miles, and earn a medal at the end. I have two videos covering these in detail, plus a 10% off referral code for new members.
- The first video covers everything you need to know about the Conqueror challenges.
- The second video covers my journey across America for America 250, using the Conqueror challenges.
Free worksheets and activity ideas are also available.
Celebrate America 250 Your Way
From Texas brisket burgers to Chicago-style hot dogs to California Orange Julius to New York cheesecake — there’s no shortage of ways to go sea to shining sea this summer.
What’s on your America 250 table this year? Check out my video and drop it in the YouTube comments. And if you try the Chicago dog — especially that mint relish — I genuinely want to know if it converted you.