Showdown at the OK Corral

It went something like this.  The Man must have thought the Lady's birthday party was pretty fun, because he requested something similar for his.  He wanted a road rally too.  I needed a theme.  His favorite card game is BANG!  And that was how the western style road rally was born. We decided to bring the game to life.  We assigned everyone a western alter ego and gave them a character name and power. We also made sure everyone had a a bandanna and a gun!

Then we divided them up into three groups and assigned them a "wagon" and a driver.  (Thanks to our "volunteer" drivers by the way!  Couldn't have done it without you!!)  There were seven clues or riddles to solve and seven challenges to complete--all with a western theme. At the Man's request, I made the clues quite a bit harder than last time.  They may have been a little too hard...it took them almost three hours to complete the rally portion of our party!

The clues took them to various destinations around town.

They had to tie cowboy knots with licorice ropes.

And they had to ride the mechanical bull!

Rodeo anyone?

How about a wheelbarrow race?

There was singing--barbershop style.

And shooting at targets with blowguns.

As they completed the clues and challenges, they earned life points and team cards.  Then when everyone was safely back home on the ranch, the real shoot down began.  We played a version of the real BANG! game.   There was a lot of eating and laughing.  The kids seemed to have a great time!  

After the official game ended, all of the kids seemed to migrate upstairs to watch Top Gear.  Not very cowboy or western in nature, but it is the Man's favorite show.  I didn't know we could fit that many

people in our family room.  I think it was a new record.

Speaking of records...for the record, this was the cutest cowboy in attendance!

Peanut anyone?

Happy Birthday buddy!  We love you!