This Fourth of July, party like it’s 1776. The sun will be high in the sky as temperatures are expected to hover near triple-digits.

Our favorite place to spend the holiday is right on the lake — take your pick from Lake LBJ, Inks Lake, Lake Marble Falls, or Lake Buchanan. The water is a welcome respite from the heat, and at night, the fireworks light up the Hill Country in every direction.

Off the lake, there’s plenty of fun to be had. Visit the Fourth of July guide for fireworks shows and more.

Whether you celebrate the occasion on the lake or at a park, bring snacks that will fit into your cooler or picnic basket. We recommend bringing all the sandwich fixings you like and throwing in a few of these side dishes. Best part is that you can find all the ingredients at your local H-E-B!

1. Tropical fruit salsa

Simple to make and easy to transport. All you need is a bag of chips. Find the recipe and how-to here.

2. Sassy summer salad

Make a healthy alternative to sweet treats and salty snacks. This recipe is delicious and serves 10 — unless everybody goes back for seconds. Get inspired here.

3. Liberty berries

This one fits perfectly into the patriotic aesthetic. Assemble the finished product neatly in a large plastic container layered on parchment paper to keep them from melting together. Learn to make them here.

4. Cheerios and marshmallow bars

Marshmallows and Cheerios go great together in this party favorite. Keep sticky hands to themselves by packing individual baggies for each person. Read the step-by-step here. Tip: Throw some red, white and blue M&M’s in the mix for a more festive look.

Please remember to be safe out there! Fourth of July is the biggest day of the summer for boat traffic at the lake. Take it slow, keep your distance from other boaters and, most important, don’t drink and drive. Read more in our tips for a day of boating on Lake LBJ.

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