The sun is shining, music is blaring and everyone can’t wait until dusk. The 4th of July is approaching faster than some of us may think, and there’s nothing more American than throwing a great barbecue on the biggest holiday of the season. Before you begin planning, take some of these tips into consideration for the most fabulous barbecue of the summer.

Color coordinate — Embrace that you’re going to be celebrating the best of all the American holidays. Use red, white and blue wherever you can, and don’t forget to fly your flag. If you don’t have a place to hang a flag, use a bunch of smaller flags to make a centerpiece for your table.

Start early — Seeing a 4th of July parade sets the tone for a great day. So why not start your 4th of July barbecue at the parade? Ask friends and family to meet you at the parade. Everyone will be hard-pressed not to walk away ready to celebrate the day.

Prepare appetizers — While you’re firing up the grill, set out some red salsa with white and blue chips. Have some cold beers ready and some good old-fashioned American music playing. We suggest Alabama, Bruce Springsteen or Tom Petty.

Stick to the classics — Don’t forget to have the all-American classics to eat — hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, corn on the cob, apple pie, ice cream and watermelon.

Attend the show — Last but not least, you MUST see a fireworks show. Take a chair or grab a blanket (don’t forget bug spray), and just watch the sky illuminate with color — undoubtedly the perfect ending to your celebration. If you can, provide some of your own fireworks, but remember to use safety when setting them off.