BY CLAIRE RISSMAN-SHERR
For your rodeo kick-off party this year, keep it classy by foregoing chips served out of an upside-down cowboy hat and renting that mechanical bull. The Star of Texas Rodeo & Fair will run from February 29 to March 15. The Rodeo is a defining part of Austin’s culture, but you don’t have to be an expert on “Mutton Bustin” to get into the spirit. The Star of Texas Rodeo & Fair is a non-profit event that raises millions of dollars to support their mission, “Promoting Youth Education – Preserving Western Heritage.” There are ways to preserve the western flair in your rodeo theme without including a horseshoe toss. This isn’t a hoedown, after all, but you are celebrating the rodeo kick-off. Use this guide to keep your rodeo kick-off party on the classy side.
Invite
For that personal touch, have your invitations hand delivered. Attach your invitation to a bouquet of sunflowers. Your guest will be touched by your gesture, and have your gift on the counter as a “save-the-date.” This invitation will tie in nicely with the sunflowers used to decorate your event.
If your kick-off party is for the whole family, consider having old-time western “Wanted” posters printed with pictures of your children as the “criminals.” Include details of the party, and run a match along the edges of the poster to give it an aged look. Roll each poster into a scroll and tie with a bandana.
Decorate
Use small Mason jars with bunches of wildflowers at each place setting. To turn these into place cards, use jar labels to display your guests’ names. If you’d like them to take these keepsakes home, fill your jars with decorative marbles or stones instead of water.
Create gorgeous sunflower centerpieces by placing a narrow vase inside a cowboy boot and filling the vase with stalks of the cheery flowers. Surround each boot with small lanterns illuminated by votives that provide the centerpiece with a warm glow.
To keep in theme with the sunflowers and wildflowers, choose a color palette that compliments the flowers. Think warm tones: oranges, yellows, reds, and purples. Forget gingham and go with table linens in these wildflower tones.
Use mini horseshoes as napkin rings. Also scatter a few of the horseshoes around the centerpieces.
Rent a covered wagon that can be parked outside the entrance to your party. This will really impress your guests and set the Western-inspired mood.
Spread the votive-filled lanterns and the flower-filled mason jars throughout the party: on the bar, a buffet table (if you choose to serve buffet-style), etc.
