Deep Dive: Out In Full 4th
Relax, take a nice breath, and join us as we go beneath the surface and uncover conversation treasures to bring up. And in this Deep Dive installment, you’ll find a flick and pics from 2026 too!
When June rolls around every summer, longtime Woodlanders start throwing eggs at each other. (How else would you and your partner get in crack condition by July 4th?)
Celebrating Independence Day at Woodland Hills Club is a beloved tradition we’ve enjoyed since 1960. In years past, so many Members would attend on the 4th that folks would line up outside the gatehouse before the sun even rose, in hopes of getting to stretch out on the lounger with the view they liked best.
In big families, before the big day, we’d do lots of strategizing and negotiating to determine which brothers would team up with which sisters in the relays. Along with the Egg Toss, Penny Pitch, and Homerun Derby, those swimming races are tried-and-true standards—but part of The 4th’s fun is mixing fond, old favorites with fresh, new ideas. Over the decades, we've hosted caricaturists and clowns, held tournaments for stuff like volleyball and cornhole, and run contests in everything from foul-shooting and swimming to Hula Hoop and cannonballs.
In the 1970s and '80s, we even had pony rides!
Before food trucks first appeared, we’d pre-purchase tickets for a catered fried-chicken meal, or grill some burgers, or gather for a potluck picnic in the pavilion. But no matter how delicious it was, kids could barely stand to sit down before getting right back to business.
Recognize anyone in these pictures? Participated in any of these activities? What have you and your family enjoyed?
This was our super staff’s plan for July 4—and 5—in 2026, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Declaration:
A Flick and Pics From 2026
What’s special to you about July 4th at Woodland Hills? Send us your pictures so we can add them to this article!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Deep Dive, our new history feature. We’d love it if you contributed. Longtime members, please tell us your stories. Share your photos and your fond memories.