Western

Invites and Costumes
Let your guests know ahead of time "who" they will be at the party and request that they stay in character for at least the first hour of the party.

Choose a few brave souls to be "outlaws". Buy them water guns and request that they stage a wild and crazy "shoot out" soon after the party begins.

Games and Activities
Younger cowboys and cowgirls could spend some time making their own vests from grocery sacks. Before the party, cut a hole in each side of the sack for the armholes.

At the party, allow each child to "fringe" the bottom of their vest (using scissors cut 2"-4" vertical strips). Provide lots of markers and crayons so each child can individualize their vest.

More Costume Ideas
Have sheriff badges available for them to proudly pin on and, of course, each guest needs their own cowboy hat and bandana.

More Games and Activities
Because everyone is so "hairy" from spending weeks herdin' cattle allow everyone the opportunity to shave in the shaving relay.

Divide into 2 teams and have each team member choose a partner. Set up one chair with a bottle of shaving cream, a towel, and a plastic knife placed next to it for each team.

The teams line up about 20 feet from the chair. At the shout of go, two people from each team run down to the chair where one person is "shaved" by the "barber".

The "barber" spreads shaving cream on the other persons "beard". The "barber" then uses the plastic knife to shave his or her friend, using the towel to wipe the knife between strokes.

When they are done, the next two run to the chair and repeat the process. Whichever team is clean-shaven first wins!

Party Eats
Barbeque good old-fashioned hamburgers. Serve with chips and baked beans. Try my sisters delicious recipe. Yum!

Nancy's Baked Beans

• 48 oz. canned pork and beans
• 1/2 cup catsup
• 3 Tbsp. mustard
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
• 1/2 chopped onion
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. pepper
• 1/2 tsp. celery salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Remove pork from can of pork and beans. Heat together beans, catsup, mustard and brown sugar. Fry together remaining ingredients.

Drain excess fat. Mix beans and hamburger together. Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake at 300 degrees for 30 additional minutes.

I have also cooked this in a crock pot on low for 2 hours and it is just as delicious. Using the crock pot allows you to leave the home if you need to for any last minute party errands.