The long holiday weekend may be halfway over, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had. Here are five things to know about the holiday.
(READ MORE: 36 places in the Chattanooga area to watch fireworks, celebrate July 4)
1. What are we eating? According to Google analytics compiled by time2play.com, cold sides and salads accounted for the most searches in the weeks leading up to July 4, 2021 (this year’s numbers are not yet available). Potato salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw and deviled eggs led in combined searches in 22 states. Tops in Tennessee were deviled eggs (the same in four other states). Georgians searched for baked beans (along with seven other states), and Alabama was most interested in grilled corn (along with three other states and the District of Columbia). Other foods on the list were smoked brisket, smoked ribs, fried chicken, roasted potatoes, buffalo chicken dip and red, white and blue fruit pizza.
2. What are we spending? According to personal finance website WalletHub, Americans plan to spend $7.7 billion on Fourth of July food. Part of that amount will go toward the 150 million hot dogs Americans eat every Independence Day. The budget also calls for spending $1.4 billion on beer and wine for the holiday.
3. How are we recreating? Local lakes and rivers may be more crowded this year. The Water Sports Foundation reports that millions of boaters and paddlers (kayaks, SUPs) are expected to hit the water this Fourth of July weekend, including more than 830,000 first-time boat buyers who purchased watercraft during the COVID-19 pandemic.