Wild Wild West

After being cooped up inside for a seemingly endless winter, we’re all dreaming of barbecue season. Why not welcome in summer and warm up your grill with a good old-fashioned hoedown?

1. Rally the crowd. Send out a fabulously fun Western invitation and specify Western attire. Cowboy boots and big belt buckles are all the rage so give your friends a fun excuse to don theirs.
2. Plan the menu. After a taste test of about five brands of ribs we liked Lloyds the best.  Most large grocery store chains in the West carry Lloyds. Corn muffins, baked beans, a green salad, and potato or fruit salad complete the meal and are all easy to make ahead of time.  If ribs are not what you desire, barbecued chicken or steak will do the trick as well.
3. Stock the bar.  Longneck brews iced down in big galvanized metal beverage tubs and homemade lemonade will satisfy the majority of cowboys and cowgirls.  If you’re going all out, you may also want to have wine, water and whiskey on hand.
4. Set the stage.  What will you need to turn your yard into a Western Wonderland?  Red and white-checkered tablecloths, bandanas for napkins, hay bails, cowboy hats, horseshoes (also good for entertainment), water guns and gold coins.  Most props can be found at Oriental Trading Company. Don’t forget to let your guests take some of the fun stuff home.
5. Ye-Haw! Don’t forget the music.  There’s nothing like a few good Country Western tunes to get the party hoppin’- literally!  Mix new and old so there is something everyone will recognize.
6. Ride tall. You may think it over the top but to really set the mood, rent a pony. Surprisingly there are numerous pony rental services out there so there is surely one that will cater to your needs.  The yellow pages for your area should have some listings as well as Google.