Minnie and Mickey Mouse & Friends “Float” Along on the 4th of July “Boat Parade” Tablescape!!!

This table works well for all the Patriotic Holidays – the 4th of July, Labor Day and Memorial Day

The Plan

The plan for this tablescape was that it be something that could be used for both Memorial Day and the 4th of July and possibly Labor Day as well. Originally I planned to do a “town” parade – with the Disney characters marching down the street (i.e. the table). However, since i didn’t really have all the things I needed, and was not sure I could find ideal items in time, I was a little worried. In spite of my doubts, I proceeded upstairs to find doll stands although I was not sure that they would be able to hold the Disney characters up in a marching position (as they are rather “floppy”).

When I got upstairs I glanced at the end of one of the guest beds and realized the storage containers I use for storage of silk flowers, were actually boat shaped. I had purchased them to go with our son’s nautical themed lake house room when we purchased the lake house. Finding the boats, prompted me to think of the boat parades we have here for the 4th of July and occasionally for Christmas as well. The boats are lit and decorated according to the theme, and locals and guests gather at restaurants, homes and parks to watch the parade cruise by. I decided that a boat parade would be a perfect kind of parade for our Disney Characters. To see a real sailboat decked out for a Fourth of July parade click the link.

The Boats and their Crews (aka Centerpieces)

Boat 1 – Crew – Donald and Daisy Duck

Boat 2 – Crew – Goofy and Pluto

Boat 3 – Crew – Mickey and Minnie Mouse & Kids

Video of the Tablescape

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I love the flags in each boat, which were a gift from a friend who also enjoys setting special tablescapes. She knew I would have fun with these battery operated flags. When the button on them is pushed the flag waves and the speaker base plays patriotic music. Hopefully you can enable sound on your device so you are able to hear the music during the above video.

My Disney Series of Tablescapes

If you have been on my website a few times this year, you may have noticed that this tablescape is a part of my Disney Series, where I am aiming to use one set of dishes, one set of flatware, and one set of dinner * “guests” to make 11 different holiday tablescapes.

*I often do change the Mickey and Minnie plush or porch sitters to ones to ones made specifically for each holiday – with holiday specific outfits, most of the “guests” are the same in each tablescape. Guests are Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy and Pluto. Reusing the plush Disney “guests”, the dishes, and flatware in multiple tablescapes not only saves money but also saves on storage space needed.

So far the following tablescapes have been completed, if you would like to check them out, you can click on the photos or titles to access the posts.

Patriotic Decorations for the Boats and the Characters

The Boats themselves were made for storage, and also as Nautical Decorations. I’m guessing they are from Target, but as they were likely purchased about 15 years ago, when we were originally decorating the lake house, I’m not 100% sure. Each boat came with a wooden decoration. For the display I added the battery operated large “Waving Flags”, the small flags with wooden flagposts, various pom pom/fireworks flower arranging decor, and on two boats I added star lights from Homegoods purchased in 2022 and 2023. On Pluto and Goofy’s boat I added a USA star garland with wooden beads.

The Disney Characters are wearing various patriotic accessories, Donald has patriotic sunglasses, and Goofy has star Sunglasses that light up, Daisy and Minnie are wearing light up Stature of Liberty crowns from Hobby Lobby and Pluto has a pinwheel headband, also from Hobby Lobby.

The Dish Stack

The “Sketchbook Disney dinnerware” is by “Zrike” and is periodically available at Homegoods.

The Table Cloth, Napkin and Napkin Ring

The Tablecloth and Napkins were purchased at Homegoods last year. They are a Nautica brand, although I believe they that this year DII is distributing this pattern as well.

The Napkin Rings are “Vintage Mickey Mouse ‘Gloved Hand’ Napkin rings”, and were purchased on eBay and Etsy.

The Glassware

The navy blue acrylic wine glasses are from Homegoods, I believe. The other wine glass is one from Morgantown Glass Works (West Virginia) in the Golf Ball Pattern. For more about the beautiful glassware produced by Morgantown Glass Works please see the information in my Valentine’s post – “Will you Be My Valentine?” Romantic Valentine’s Day Tablescape Post.

Decorating the Dining Room

I love the way the Stars and Stripes Garland, coordinates with the tablecloth. In some light you can see that the middle section of the garland says “America” in fabric letters with blue background and white stars. I think the “America” is great for use on all the Patriotic Holidays but I also have a ” Happy 4th of July” section that could replace the “America” Section for the 4th of July.. The garland was a “find” at Homegoods; as were the Ceramic stars in the windowsill, and the Uncle Sam’s hat on the chest of drawers .

Meanwhile at the Lake…

I always love it when I end up taking pictures of my tablescape near sunset. Its so fun to be watching the sunset from the window and to have the opportunity to run outside and take photos and enjoy the sunset from the water’s edge.

Table Details and Origins

for

Minnie and Mickey Mouse Boat Parade Tablescape for Memorial Day, the 4th of July and Labor Day

EnVogue Stars & Stripes Patriotic Placemat Set – Homegoods

Disney Sketch Book Dinnerware, water glasses and Serving Pieces – Zrike Brands by R squared – Homegoods (sold at various times over the last 4 years) – also available on Ebay.  These also come in the Bamboo version, which may be better for very young children.  I think any black and white Disney pattern is a good start for anyone trying to do many different holiday tablescapes with one set of Disney dishes. 

Navy Blue Kate Spade “Rutherford Circle Navy” Plates – Homegoods around 2019?

Navy Blue Acrylic Wine Glasses – Homegoods ? around 2021

Morgantown Glassworks Vintage “Golf Ball” Pattern Wine Glasses – eBay and Etsy

Lighted Tree 7′ Raz Imports – Amazon

Storage Bin “Boats” in 3 sizes – Target in 2008?

Daisy Duck Plush – ShopDisney.com 

Donald Duck Plush – ShopDisney.com 

Pluto Plush – ShopDisney.com 

Goofy Plush– ShopDisney.com 

Disney Flatware – Mickey mouse icon/logo – Shop Disney.com; also available at times on eBay or Etsy – in silver finish and sometimes in gold finish 

Mickey Gloved Hands Napkin Rings – eBay

Patriotic Mickey and Minnie Plush or other set of Mickey and Minnie with red or blue outfits (such as Valentine’s day – Homegoods 2022

White Wooden Carved Chargers – Homegoods around 2014

Tablecloth and Cloth Napkins with Stars and Stripes by Nautica (this year the same pattern seems to be available from D ll). Homegoods 2022 or DII 2023

Ceramic Star piece with red, white & blue Stars – Homegoods 2022 and 2023 

Ceramic Uncle Sam hat – Homegoods 2022

Garland with red and white striped fabric stars alternating with navy blue fabric stars by Rae Dunn – Homegoods 2023

Garland with navy blue with white stars fabric letters  “America” – Homegoods 2023

Garland with navy blue with white stars fabric letters  “Happy 4^th of July” – Homegoods 2023

Patriotic Decorations on Boats

Red, White, Blue Battery Operated Star Lights LED 10′ string  – Homegoods 2022 and 2023  

Pom-Pom/Fireworks Floral Arrangement Accents – Hobby Lobby – available most years 

Small Flags with wooden poles – Hobby Lobby – available most years 

Waving Flags The Waving Flag Electronic Waving Flag – As Seen on TV –  originally from Amazon; currently available on eBay 

Pinwheels – Hobby Lobby – available most years

Wooden USA Garland – Hobby Lobby 

Patriotic Accessories for Disney Characters on Boats 

Light up Statue of Liberty Crown Headband on Daisy and Minnie – Hobby Lobby

Light Up Star Sunglasses on Goofy – Target 2023

Stars and Stripes Sunglasses on Donald – Target or Hobby Lobby 

Pinwheel headband on Pluto – Hobby Lobby 

In This Post…

To see what’s “Coming Soon”, and “Posts I Hope You Will Enjoy” please continue scrolling. Below these, you will find the “Table Details and Origins” section (where to buy tablescape items, etc.) and a “Link Parties” section. Then, at the very bottom of the post is a place to make comments. I hope you enjoyed the Patriotic Disney Tablescape and watching the sunset with me. Do you have special plans for the Patriotic holidays? Do you do a special tablescape to celebrate any of the summer Patriotic Holidays? 

I’d love it if you would scroll to the bottom of this post, and in the comment section share any special plans you have or special Summer holidays you have enjoyed in the past.

Coming Soon

Sometime this summer, I will be doing at least 2 Seaside Tablescapes, including one with Mermaids, I also plan to do a Fourth of July Tablescape, and a re-post of a tablesc(ape featuring Butterflies, among many others. In addition, I plan to post on the Bald Eagles that nest in our neighborhood, and at least one additional Sunset Post. I hope you can come back and visit at LifeisBetterLakeside.com. New tablescape posts & occasionally a look back at past tablescape posts are posted by midnight every Thursday.

Posts I Hope You Will Enjoy

I hope you get a chance to visit the other Disney posts in this series that are linked below. I am having so much fun doing these Disney Holiday tables – I hope you enjoy them too.

If you enjoyed the sunset in this tablescape, you may enjoy the following posts. Although the location is the same in most of my sunset posts, I am constantly amazed by how different each Sunset is.

A Glorious Sunset on the Lake – April 15, 2023

Sunset on the Lake – April 2, 2023

You may also enjoy the following recent posts:

April Showers Bring May Flowers!! But Do They Also Bring Ducks with Umbrellas????

Simba Update – May 25, 2023

Our sweet puppy had “boy” surgery this week and he is needing a lot of help and supervision as he adjusts to the “cone collar” that we hope will keep him from tearing his surgery incision. He is also watching Netflix’s “Pup Academy” and we hope it will help distract him from his incision as well. All of the post surgery stuff has put me a bit behind on getting the Table Details done above. Thanks for your patience. Do you have a pet who watches TV. If so, what kind of pet? and what are his or her favorite shows? and what does your pet react to on TV. I’d love it if you could share that with me in the comment sections at the very bottom of the post. Simba seems to prefer Pup Academy to anything else. I’m guessing its the sheer number of dogs, and that one looks just like him, and one just like my grandpuppy, who he loves. I speculate that he likes that their mouths move when they are talking also. So far the only thing on TV that he doesn’t like is horses – which is unusual as I love horses and thought I was sending him a “horses are our friends” vibe.

Link Parties

Following is a list of websites I really like!  They are listed under the day of the week where they also host a Family Friendly “Link Parties” aka “Blog Hops”.

If you click on the name of the blog (in blue) on the evening of the day of the week they are listed under, it should take you to the Link Party, where many bloggers have joined with them to share their own ideas.  I love how the link parties connect you with both a great blog, and other blogger’s ideas as well!  Many thanks to all these bloggers for bringing so many ideas to all of us!!! 

You can actually find these link parties any day of the week, by clicking on the website name below, but once you click, you may need to scroll thru a few entries to find the link party you are looking for. 

Sunday 

Life as a Leo wife (Nikki), Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly),  Décor Craft Design (Mel) ,A Labour of Life (Linda),  Ducks ‘n a Row (Sinea),  Love My Messy Messy Mess (Katie)   host “Happiness is Homemade” Link Party.  I love checking out the home decor, holiday decorations and current projects of all the hostesses as well as the ideas from their link party ! 

Life and Linda hosts “Love Your Creativity Link Party”.  I love checking out Linda’s gorgeous holiday decorations and tablescapes, and her chandelier decorations are a beautiful finishing touch!!

The House on Silverado  hosts – “Sundays on Silverado” link party. I am fairly new to Niky’s site but am loving her holiday decorating and her new grandma stories!!

Ridge Haven Homestead  – “Sunday Sunshine” Blog Hop.  In addition to the blog hop, I am enjoying reading about Laurie’s homestead, the “off the grid” lifestyle they are living and the cabin they are building. 

April J Harris – hosts Hearth and Soul Link Party monthly on the first Sunday of the month. I am enjoying reading about April’s traveling adventures, as well as her projects at home!  

Monday

Life Tales Books Blogspot  hosts Will Blog for Comments Link Party. Jennifer is a Photos and Story Treasures Consultant, and I am enjoying her ideas on photos and memory books, as well as her link party!  

Holly-Pink Lady(Holly) and Sunshine and books blog (Sarah) host “Hello Monday Link Party”. In addition to the link party, I am enjoying Sarah’s book recommendations, and Holly’s recipes and party ideas.  

Between Naps on the Porch hosts  “Metamorphosis Monday” posts, which are all about “Befores and Afters”. I love seeing Susan’s amazing home projects which are very inspiring!! I always come away with some great ideas from her posts and from those who have linked up!! 

The following link, Senior Salon Pit Stop will get you to the link party on Esme’s site as well as getting you to some great recipes and other ideas!

Charlene at A Pinch of Joy hosts “Busy Mondays”. Charlene’s website is all about home decorating, and holiday decorations and recipes. The first two things are things I love to do and the Recipes are things I like to eat!

Good random fun blogspot hosts The Good.Random.Fun. link party  Tamar’s website has some great photography, interesting places to visit, and thoughts on many things. Recently, I enjoyed reading about Hanukkah celebrations! 

Beverly at Eclectic Red Barn, Nicky at  Life as a Leo Wife, Michelle at  Moms are frugal and a few other hostesses host “You’re the Star Blog Hop” I love checking out these websites and the link party for holiday decor, crafts, money saving ideas and tablescapes. 

Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life   hosts  the “Inspire me Tuesday” link party. Marty has an eye for design and decorating, and turning your house into a home. I always enjoy reading about her projects. 

Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly)  and Penny’s Passion (Penny) host the “Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop” which often opens on Tuesday evenings. I have enjoyed Beverly’s Red Barn project and her projects and decorating . Penny’s website has both projects and recipes I have enjoyed reading about – and more – see “Thinking Out Loud” under “Thursday” in this list. 

Jenerally Informed  hosts the “Happy Now Link Party”. Jen from Jenerally informed and Leslie from playmates to parties host “happy now” which brings many craft and decorating ideas and recipes for fun holiday foods. 

Perfectly Imperfect-LWL hosts the “Tell It To Me Tuesday Link Party” which brings many decorating ideas, recipes, and ideas for family activities. 

Kim and Cassie from Lou Lou Girls host the the “Fabulous Party”. Lou Lou Girls post unique recipes, family activities, DIY and party ideas! 

Marci at Stone Cottage Adventures hosts “Tuesdays with a Twist”. Marci posts on gardening, sewing, recipes, crafts and books! Marci’s link party contains many other fun ideas as well. 

My Wee Abode (Julie) hosts the “Tuesday Turn About” Link Party. Julie is turning her small home into a charming coastal farmhouse home. Her website and link party include great home decorating, DIY, craft projects and recipes.

Wednesday

Karin’s Kottage hosts the “Karin’s Kottage Link party”.  I am also enjoying keeping up with Karin’s Italian Palace remodel! as well as her decorating ideas, crafts, grandchild activities and home projects. 

French Ethereal hosts a “Share Your Style”  link party where decorating, recipes, fashion, tablescape styles are all shared. 

Esme Salon recently began hosting a “Wordless Wednesday” photography link party – I can’t wait to link up!

Creatively Beth  hosts the “Creatively Crafty” Link Party. Beth’s website contains wonderful craft posts, including amazing up-cycle, from scratch, and Dollar Store Crafts. Beth’s link party contains a variety of family friendly posts including recipes, crafts, and holiday decor. 

Ridge Haven Homestead hosts the Homestead Blog Hop.  I am also enjoying reading about the off the grid home that Laurie and her family are building. 

Karin at Fifth Sparrow No More, hosts “Whimsy Home Link Party”. Karin posts about Finding the Beauty – in decorating, travel and faith and family! 

Cecelia at My Thrift Store Addiction hosts “Vintage Charm” link party. What Cecelia does with her thrift store finds is so creative!

Lydia at  Pandora and Max hosts the “All Seasons” Link Party. Lydia’s recent blog entry was all about her trip – and the sunsets are a “must see” – fabulous!

Thursdays

I often participate in Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday. I have been following Susan for quite a long time, and absolutely love her Tablescapes!!! I also love the ideas shared on her Tablescape Thursday link party! 

Katherine’s corner hosts the  “TFT – Thursday Favorite Things” blog hop.  I love the assortment of wonderful decorating, recipe, tablescape, and inspirational ideas found here. 

Southern Sunflowers   hosts their “Home Matters Link Party” at 8 CT on Thursday.  I have really enjoyed linking to their link party and the various decorating, recipe, tablescape and craft ideas found on this website and their “Home Matters” Link Party. 

Penny’s Passion  hosts the “Thinking Out Loud Link Party” which often begins on Thursday. Thinking out Loud is a great post published each Thursday, and covers many interesting topics. Today the topic was “elf on the shelf – for empty nesters” and I love the traditions Penny has started in her home. So cute!

Roentare.zenfolio blog hosts a photography link party each week.  The photography is absolutely gorgeous, as are the places he and his wife photograph! 

Good Random Fun  hosts the “Little Things” link party, which I enjoy. Its a place for sharing and reading about lots of different topics and ideas. 

Marsha in the Middle and Melynda, from Scratch Made Food for Hungry People, and Lisa, from Boondock Ramblings host “Weekend Traffic Jam” which goes live on Thursday at 8:30 pm CT. Marsha posts about Fashion and the link party contains holiday decorations, fashion, and recipes (to name a few of the family friendly links). 

Friday

Stephanie at Crazy Little Lovebirds hosts the “Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.” It is a gathering for home decor ideas, recipes, tablescapes, reflections, etc. I am enjoying being a part fo this group. 

Building Our Hive hosts the “Funtastic Friday” Link Party which includes recipes, home decor, tablescapes, crafts, travel and other family friendly posts. 

Cindy at County Road 407  hosts the “Farmhouse Friday” Link Party, which begins at 6:30 am CT each Friday and features home decor – all styles; holiday decorating, tablescapes, crafts, etc. 

Andrea at The Cottage Market hosts “A Morning Cup of Joe” link party. Both the website and the link party feature DIY projects, Recipes, home decor, crafts and holiday decorations. 

Erika at A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea at Momfessionals, host “Friday Favorites”. Both websites and the link party feature family activities, home decor, fashion, entertaining, recipes, and holiday decorations and traditions. 

At Lou Lou Girls Kim, Cassie and Amber bring lots of good recipes and family activities to us and also host “Fabulous Friday” a link party that brings us recipes, holiday decor, family activities and many other family friendly ideas! 

Saturday

Pieced Pastimes  Hosts “Saturday Sparks Party”  which includes home decors, recipes and holiday fun foods, tablescapes, crafts, etc. Among the many things I appreciate at Pieced Pastimes is the first picture of many posts, where Suzanne shows her current view at home (in New Hampshire) I love her wonderful view in all weather!

Wishing you a wonderful Memorial Day and 4th of July, and a fantastic summer too!!!!