Our family has always hosted our annual Fourth of July celebration on the Saturday prior to the 4th of July. It traditionally features a massive water balloon fight, several kegs of beer, an amazing firework show, and most importantly, excellent displays of food. We always have something catered, usually chicken and various sandwiches, potato salads, sushi dishes, etc. One year we hired a pig roaster, and it was exciting, but simply wasn't cost effective at all. Last year, however, we decided to do a clambake celebration, and it was the best 4th of July party in our family history.

I would recommend doing with the seafood route to anybody thinking of throwing a summer celebration similar to what we do. Let's face it- its never really "cheap" to hire professional catering for a party. But, if you have already made the decision to cater anyway, the seafood route isn't much more expensive than the traditional chicken/potato salad, macaroni, or whatever other boring food the caterers typically tend to provide.

Our parties for July, the 4th have usually about 200 people more or less. Maybe not 200 all at once, but throughout the day, I can estimate we have no less than that number. One thing it's important to tell is that I don't suggest a clambake celebration unless you have at least about 40 people, since it would be it would be somehow wasteful. Provide you have 40 or more people, I think it's a good idea.

We had a company come in and provide a clambake celebration for us. We had all of the trimmings with the experience. They brought clams (of course), live lobster, mussells, and quahogs. They even boil the live lobster right there for you. The kids and their parents enjoyed the cooks as they demonstrated their cooking skills with a little bit of flamboyance. Additionally, the company brought some decorative stones and other seafood to enhance the presentation of the meal.

What we ordered was considered to be a "standard clambake" but they also had an option for a "New England clambake". Both were similarly priced, but I guess that the New England one had more local menu offerings for New England stuff. I was pleased with the one we ordered, but I cannot say anything about the New England style, because I haven't tried it (yet!)

Last year's 4th of July clambake celebration was so wildly popular that we couldn't dream of changing the food this year! This year's party is already fully planned, including the fireworks, water balloon fight, and beer that everyone enjoyed last year, and we can't wait for July to come!