On July 4 this year, around 100 pengyous gathered in the Project Pengyou hutong to celebrate America’s Independence Day.

Sometimes being an expat in China means missing special holidays and events back home. So Project Pengyou was delighted to provide guests with a little slice of home right here in China!

Attendees munched on a variety of July 4 staples prepared by the Project Pengyou team, including burgers, hot dogs, chicken wings, veggie skewers, veggies and dip (ranch!), guacamole, potato salad, coleslaw, pasta salad, and potato chips. Guests also enjoyed free-flow beer and wine from the Pengyou Bar and hopefully snagged some pie and American flag cupcakes before they were gone.

Our revelers, a mix of students, alumni and working professionals, arrived around 6:30 pm but stayed until 11. Notable groups that came in packs included Fulbright scholars and Columbia University students. Other guests included long-time China hands John and Isabel Holden and Jesse Curtis, Director of the Beijing American Center, who brought a new group of Embassy friends.

The evening was a chance to relax and dispel homesickness if you had it. We were especially thankful to our volunteers who worked on the grill and interns who helped to serve food and drinks. A couple of hours into the evening, a group rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” echoed through the hutongs, though we did not have a chance to recite Bill Pullman’s speech from Independence Day.

We were thrilled to host this BBQ and hope everyone enjoyed their time. Thanks for coming and we’ll see you next year!

For photos of the event, click here!