What better way to celebrate summertime than with a delicious picnic in your backyard, or one of many gorgeous picnic spots across Gainesville and the surrounding area? International Picnic Day is June 18^th — of course, here in the Sunshine State, every day is a good day for a picnic. The only difference in throwing the perfect picnic now vs., say, December is losing a layer or two. Plus, some nice shade. Without further ado, here are our top tips for planning a picnic with the help of Peach Valley Gainesville!

Pick A Beautiful Backdrop

The first step to achieving a great picnic is, of course, finding the right place to lay down your blanket and basket. Fortunately, Gainesville and the surrounding area boast plenty such places — a few of our favorites being Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park (a rare place where you can spot bison on the East Coast) and the lush hammocks of O’Leno State Park. Just check with your preferred park’s guidelines to know where to picnic safely!

Bring Along Picnic Activities

Picnic games like tic-tac-toe, beach blanket checkers, frisbee, and more are all fun additions to your meal! For a more leisurely afternoon, bring along some of your favorite magazines or a book on the top of your to-read list and find inspiration in the quiet calm of nature.

Fuel Up With Flavorful Goodness

From sandwiches to savory sides to feed the whole crew, prepping for a picnic can take a lot of work — but who says you have to go it alone? We think bringing your favorite foods along from Peach Valley Gainesville is a great way to honor the carefree spirit of the day. Plus, it couldn’t be easier for everyone in the group to get what they love — simply order online and pick up your meal on the way to the venue! A few of our favorite picnic ideas include Protein-Packed Avocado Toast, Chicken Salad Sandwich, Onion Rings, Orchard Fresh Apple Fritters, and more.

For Easy Cleanup…

Many picnic sites you’ll find throughout Gainesville are in largely untouched, back-to-nature destinations. Help protect the environment by opting for reusable picnic ware, as opposed to plastic waste that might blow away in the wind! There are endless options to choose from today, including stylish bamboo and other materials.

Snap Away

Something about picnics — whether it be the beautifully bright, natural lighting or delicious blanketful of food — makes us want to take pictures! And why shouldn’t you? Get creative with fun angles and backdrops, or consider planning your picnic around the magical “golden hour” before sunset so you can take home some gorgeous keepsakes of your meal.

We hope that these tips help you achieve the perfect picnic here in Gainesville! For this special occasion and just-because fun all year long, your local Peach Valley has you covered with the flavors and fuel you crave.