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On the Saturday before Independence Day, my family always hosts a Fourth of July celebration. There is usually a water balloon fight, lots of beer, an awesome display of fireworks, and a wonderful variety of food. There is always something catered, like chicken, and lots of different sandwiches, potato salads, sushi, etc. Once, we hired a pig roaster. It was fun, but the expense was too much. Last year was the best Fourth of July party so far, because we decided to have a clambake celebration.

I would suggest going the seafood route to anyone contemplating throwing the sort of summer celebration that we normally do. True, it is never actually "cheap" to hire professional catering for a party. But, if you are already set with decision of catering the event, the seafood route isn't much more expensive than the usual chicken, potato salad, macaroni, etc, that caterers typically offer.

For the last couple of years there have been approximately 200 people to our 4th of July parties. Experience tells us that it is not likely for all 200 to be there at the same time, but an overall estimate for this year is the same as usual. I wouldn't suggest throwing a clambake celebration with less than 40 guests, due to it being a little wasteful. If you expect more than 40 participants though, a party of this kind might be fun!

We had a company come in and provide a clambake celebration for us. We had all of the trimmings with the experience. They brought clams (of course), live lobster, mussells, and quahogs. They even boil the live lobster right there for you. The kids and their parents enjoyed the cooks as they demonstrated their cooking skills with a little bit of flamboyance. Additionally, the company brought some decorative stones and other seafood to enhance the presentation of the meal.

What we ordered was considered to be a "standard clambake" but they also had an option for a "New England clambake". Both were similarly priced, but I guess that the New England one had more local menu offerings for New England stuff. I was pleased with the one we ordered, but I cannot say anything about the New England style, because I haven't tried it (yet!)

We are glad to announce this years clambake celebration party on July 4th. The planing has been done already, we can't wait for it to be July! Serving clambake was such a success last year and we expect the same for this independence day. Make sure not to miss the fireworks and the water balloon fight! There will be plenty of beer.