Fireworks & Picnics—Raliegh is Exploding with Opportunities for Fourth of July Fun!
With America’s Independence Day and National Picnic Month both on the calendar, opportunities abound for members of The Enclave at Crossroads community to enjoy food, fun, and fireworks this July in and around Raleigh, North Carolina! Raleigh’s July 4th Fireworks Celebration at Dorothea Dix Park Plan to celebrate our great nation with your family and friends by taking part in all the festivities at Dix Park on Thursday, July 4, 2024, beginning at 6 p.m. Food trucks, family activities, and music will keep all engaged and entertained until the main event, the sizzling show in the sky at 9:30 p.m. Note: To receive the latest information regarding traffic, inclement weather, and public safety information for the celebration at Dix Park, sign up by texting RALFIREWORKS to 888777. This alert is only for the Fourth of July event. National Picnic Month Sometimes summer sunshine just screams out for a picnic, which is probably why the American Bakers Association picked July as National Picnic Month way back in 1952. The Enclave at Crossroads Idea Specialists™ did a little research and found that the word picnic comes from the French word piquenique, which eventually came to refer to mid-18th-century al fresco French dining. In today’s world, a picnic can be something as simple as sandwiches and soft drinks on a sun deck by the sparkling Enclave at Crossroads resort-style pool, or as over the top as an Insta-worthy luxury picnic delivered by companies specializing in creating memorable experiences. Locally, Southern Picnics offers curated packages for unforgettable gatherings. Picnicking In And Around Raleigh There are plenty of places for you to plan your own picnic in this lovely part of North Carolina, including Oakwood Cemetery and the Rose Garden behind Raleigh Little Theater. The great thing about living at The Enclave at Crossroads is that it’s so easy to get around the city! If you’re looking for other ideas, Walter Magazine has a great article on area picnic spots. Grilling & Chilling Of course the Idea Specialists™ are going to have some suggestions for you when it comes to picnic-appropriate food and drink! First, though, check out this awesome Picnic Time combo BBQ Kit Cooler from Target they found. In addition to its large capacity for ice and drinks, it features an eight-piece stainless steel grill set that includes everything from tongs and a spatula to a cutting board and corkscrew. And because of its shoulder strap, it’s imminently portable–thus perfect for a picnic at the community poolside barbecue area. Sweet! Before you head out to wherever you’re going to spread your picnic blanket, whip up a to-go pitcher of this luscious Summertime Rosé Tequila Sangria. And depending on what you’re in the mood for, maybe one—or four, or a lot more—of these Pioneer Woman picnic foods. Cowboy caviar, loaded potato salad, chef’s salad on a stick, and blueberry bars all will go with whatever you decide to grill—ribs, chicken, burgers, YUM. Summer’s Bounty The Enclave at Crossroads Idea Specialists™ will definitely be heading back to the State Farmers Market for some more homegrown tomatoes now that they’ve seen this Garden & Gun article for delicious recipes for everything from tomato pudding to cracker salad. They’ll be taking that salad, and some green tomato chowchow, on their picnic, for sure. And Speaking Of Garden & Gun If you’re not already familiar with this quintessentially Southern magazine, check out their Instagram feed to get a feel for what it’s all about. And maybe have a little fun with their “You Might Be a Southerner If…..” quiz. Enjoy!
June Brings The Joy of Father’s Day & Awareness of Alzheimer’s to the Enclave at Crossroads
June brings the joys of Father’s Day and the summer solstice to The Enclave at Crossroads, an upscale apartment home community in Raleigh, North Carolina, along with the opportunity to join with others across the country in a show of support of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month with purple ribbons and purple clothes. In fact, a google search about initiatives of the Alzheimer’s Association reveals that one of them—The Longest Day®—encourages people to “outshine the darkness” of Alzheimer’s disease with a fundraiser of their own choice in connection with the summer solstice, the day of the year with the most light. This year that will be Thursday, June 20. Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. It is not considered a normal part of aging, but, rather, a progressive disease. There is no known cure. Alzheimer’s Association Eastern Carolina provides resources and support to all those impacted by the disease. Sharing Stories Sometimes personal stories can help us understand a medical condition that hasn’t affected us directly. The Enclave at Crossroads Idea Specialists™ were deeply moved by the 2014 movie Still Alice. Starring Julianne Moore, who won a Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of a linguistics professor with a rare hereditary form of early-onset Alzheimer’s, it’s something you can watch in the privacy and comfort of your luxury apartment home. Another great option for Fathers Day—Sunday, June 16, 2024—is to provide him with the experience of a lifetime. Virgin Experience Gifts has something for every type of dad—foodie, gearhead, adventurer, golfer—you name it! Live, Local & Loud Something else fun to do to celebrate Dad, or the start of summer, would be to take advantage of some of Raleigh’s live music scene. The Midtown Beach Music Series, back for its 15th season on Thursday nights in Midtown Park, is always a regional and local fave. And with all the big concerts coming to town it’s hard to pick just one to highlight, but aren’t most dads’ fans of Drive-By Truckers? They’ll be at The Ritz Raleigh Thursday, June 13, 2024, playing their ambitious 2001 double album, Southern Rock Opera, in full. Wow. The U.S. Open Finally, it just wouldn’t be a good June blog without a mention of the U.S. Open Golf Championship, being played at No. 2 Pinehurst outside of Raleigh, North Carolina, June 13-16, 2024. It’s always a memorable experience, whether you attend or watch it with a group of friends at The Enclave at Crossroads Clubhouse. Father’s Day Fun Sometimes socks just won’t cut it when it comes delighting Dad on his day. The Idea Specialists™ know that they can’t go wrong with the father figures in their lives by giving the gift of a good bourbon, and this year the Master of Malt blog has done a great list of the Top 10 everyone needs to try in 2024. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Whisky is probably a safe bet, but they’re really intrigued by the Charcoal & Cornmeal & Rickhouses & a Decade. (Wouldn’t you be? LOL)
