With America’s 250th Birthday right around the corner, this summer is shaping up to be one for the history books! I stopped by stations around the country partnering with some of my favorite brands to share some fun, easy ways to celebrate, from your backyard barbecue to your summer road trip.

Watch the Segment:

An Americana hosting hack to set your table in style

First let’s talk hosting. It’s such a special summer and I think it’s the perfect excuse to get a little extra festive. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or heading to a block party, you want food on the table that looks amazing, tastes incredible, and doesn’t stress you out.

That’s why I’m obsessed with Northwest-grown sweet cherries right now. They are the ultimate Fourth of July hosting hack. Fresh cherries bring this gorgeous pop of red to the table- complementing your red, white and blue spread beautifully. Plus, they’re just the sweet taste of summer in a bowl.

But beyond how pretty they look, Northwest cherries are genuinely good for you. They’re high in fiber, packed with Vitamin C, and loaded with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. And here’s what I love: every bag of Northwest cherries tells a real American story. Sweet cherry growing in the Pacific Northwest started nearly 180 years ago, and when you buy them, you’re supporting generations of family farms and local communities.

Find them at supermarkets nationwide and learn more here. 

Hitting the road for this historic celebration?

A lot of families are planning summer trips to mark this historic year—and honestly, this is the year to hit the road. America’s 250th is the perfect motivation to explore the incredible destinations right in our own backyard.

And when it comes to travel, I always say: plan smart and stretch your dollar. That’s what’s great about Travelodge by Wyndham. They have hotels all across the country, which makes them such a convenient and affordable base for a summer adventure. What I think is really special is that about 70% of Travelodge properties are within an hour’s drive of a national park and they have a decade-long partnership with the National Parks Conservation Association to help preserve those iconic places for future generations.

And right now Travelodge by Wyndham has a variety of great promotions running, including up to 20% off your stay. Wyndham Rewards members save even more. It’s a great way to see America this summer.

Visit their website to start planning. 

Quality home products make a huge difference when hosting

When you’re summer hosting, quality products make a huge difference in ease and convenience. I love supporting American-made brands, and Whirlpool Corporation is the only major kitchen and laundry appliance company that is based and owned right here in the U.S. The company was founded in 1911 and never left. Their family of brands – KitchenAid, Maytag, Whirlpool, and more are trusted in three out of four American homes. And as families are gearing up for their own America 250 celebrations, there are a few of their products I absolutely love.

In the kitchen, the new KitchenAid Artisan® Plus Stand Mixer is a game-changer. It has incredible new features including an LED bowl light, precision speed control, a double flex edge beater, and for the first time on a tilt-head mixer- a ½ speed setting.

Speaking of summer, let’s talk laundry because summer stains have met their match with the Maytag® Pet Pro Laundry System! This system has a built-in filter that removes pesky pet hair. It sanitizes with Oxi Cycle, removing 99.7% of odor-causing bacteria. And the Extra Power feature boosts stain fighting on any wash cycle with an intense pre-wash and extra agitation so your family’s Fourth of July outfits come out looking great.

And if you’re hosting a crowd, the KitchenAid® 360° Max Jets™ Third Rack Dishwasher is KitchenAid’s best-capacity dishwasher. The third rack alone fits 10 extra glasses and mugs, so you have room for everything. Its 50+ Total Wash Jets across 5 wash arms offer targeted cleaning on every level.

And if you want to keep your whole laundry routine fresh this summer, the Whirlpool® Front Load Tower is a must. It features the FreshFlow™ Vent System with an industry-first UV Clean technology that actually reduces bacteria in the wash without high temps or fading your fabrics.

For more summer hosting ideas, check out my Summer Must-Have for Outdoor Entertaining or shop my Amazon storefront.

This post is client-sponsored and may contain affiliate links.