Host an Americana Summer Picnic

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Conagra Brands. All opinions are mine alone. #ServeUpSummer #CollectiveBias

Red, white and blue-hued parties are usually reserved for patriotic holidays…says who?  An Americana Summer Picnic is perfect all season long!  Head to Walmart to create a lovely backyard picnic and enjoy quality time with family and friends.  Read on to find out just how fun and easy it can be…

First, it’s easy to set the scene with a DIY fabric strip banner! I used 6 different patterns of fat quarter fabric (they measure 18″ x 21″) from the fabric department.  This makes it easy to trim them down into 2″ stripes, 21″ long; you will get 9 strips per fat quarter. Using 6 different patterns, my garland is about 40″ long.   I  knotted the strips onto a long piece of thick twine, leaving some twine on the ends for hanging.  Stringing up the twine between two chairs makes it easier to knot the material onto it.

Next, a hot dog bar is a must!  Offer guests a variety of toppings and use a new muffin pan as a great alternative to corralling them. If you are feeling clever, offer some combo ideas!  Here are more topping ideas to inspire you…

Show off summer bounty like seasonal fruit and floral with a little flair! Armed with various sizes of star cookie cutters, cut fruit out of one half of a watermelon and skewer the cut fruit into the other half.

Mix flowers like sunflowers and hydrangeas with kale leaves for a country-inspired twist on arrangements.

Turn a wagon into a portable drink cooler by filling with ice and add vintage soda bottles and mason jars of lemonade.

Finally, to finish things off, dessert! Serve my twist on the classic apple pie, Apple Pie Baked Apples! Made from Marie Callender’s® Dutch Apple Pie, with wholesome, real ingredients,  and topped with a cold dollop  of Reddi–wip®, it is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Apple Pie Baked Apples

6 large Granny Smith apples
Marie Callender’s Dutch Apple Pie, prepared according to directions, then completely cooled

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Slice the top off each of your apples and scoop out the inside of the apple. I used a sharp knife and a melon baller to hollow out the apple.
3. Scoop up the crumble crust and pie filling out of the apple pie and spoon into the well of each apple.
4. Place apples in a baking dish and fill dish with 1/4″of water. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the apples are a soft green-brown.
5. Serve warm and top with Reddi–wip, then eat!

Oh yes, they are so yummy and the perfect way to end a lovely summer picnic.

Interested in purchasing Marie Callender’s Pies and Reddi–wip? Hover over the photo above to click through to Walmart.com and buy them!

I hope you have been inspired to host an Americana summer picnic!  Need even more summer cookout inspiration? Click here for lots of awesome recipe and party ideas and check out more BBQ fun here!