Texas Style Fourth of July Party

A Texas style Fourth of July party can be a rip-roaring good time. And, it's easy to plan. While an authentic horse ranch is the best place to host a Texas style Fourth of July party, most anywhere will work as a location. If the weather is nice, you'll definitely want to have your party outdoors. Drape picnic tables with red and white checkered or Wild West patterned tablecloths and place citronella candles in the center. The citronella is a natural bug repellant and the candles add a nice ambiance.

The best time of day to have a Fourth of July party is in the evening. String lights or place torches around the party area to provide festive illumination. Lights shaped like chili peppers are a fun western touch. Speaking of chili peppers, your Texas style menu should be spicy. Chili is a great menu item. You'll also want the traditional hamburgers and hot dogs, of course. Good appetizers and side dishes include chips and salsa, watermelon slices, potato and macaroni salad and a vegetable platter with cool ranch dip. Your chili can serve as not only a main dish but a topping for burgers, hot dogs and chips. For dessert, try a fun layered gelatin desert or a vanilla cheesecake topped with strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream.

Bring a stereo outdoors and play country western music so guests can dance. Ask your guests to wear western apparel like cowboy hats, Western style shirts and boots. Learn to country line dance or square dance ahead of time and lead your guests. Another fun activity is a squirt gun shootout. Give each guest a squirt gun and have everyone shoot at each other. Or, you can try squirt gun duels where two players try to be the first to get the other wet. Kids especially will love running around squirting each other with water. If you've got lawn sprinklers, turn them on and invite the little ones to run through. Guests may want to wear swimsuits under their clothes or bring a change of clothes, especially if you're considering any water related activities like those described above.

After dark, give guests sparklers to wave and hold your own fireworks show or move the party to a nearby fireworks display. Because the Fourth is such a beloved holiday, you might just be close enough to a larger fireworks show to see it from your party location. Guests can lounge on blankets placed on the ground to watch the fireworks show. After fireworks, you can serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic margaritas and give guests a chance to relax and socialize. To keep cleanup easy, use disposable plates, cups and utensils and provide plenty of available trash receptacles.