Independence Day arrives next Saturday, and if a barbecue is a good economic gauge, the economy’s a little better this year.
The National Retail Federation’s annual Independence Day survey of consumers says 64.4 percent of Americans are planning to either host a cookout, or attend one. Spending on Fourth of July cookout food will average $71.23 per household, up from $68.18 last year.
The NRF says total spending on food items for the holiday is estimated to reach $6.6 billion.
Less than half of Americans will watch fireworks. The survey says just 42.6 percent will attend a fireworks display or community celebration, and just 11.5 percent plan to watch a parade.
Holiday weekends are usually big for quick vacations. The NRF survey says more than 33 million Americans will take advantage of the long weekend to get out of town.
Date: June 26, 2015