12 Fun 4th of July Traditions Inspired by the Drummond Family
Independence Day the Drummond way!
If there's one place that really pops on the 4th of July, it's Ree Drummond's hometown of Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Every summer, The Pioneer Woman pulls out all the stops to turn this small-town USA celebration into a full-on festive extravaganza that includes red, white, and blue decorations galore, plenty of classic cookout favorites, and of course, loads of exciting entertainment.
As Ree puts it, the Patriotic Party on the Prairie includes "Carnival games and all the delicious food and drinks that you can dream of... a stellar lineup of performers that will be playing all through the night. Then we’ll have the epic cowboy firework show at dusk, and after that we’ll dance the night away!" She adds, "Pawhuska is beyond welcoming, and it’s just a sweet sweet time." That's why crowds of visitors and locals alike gather for the star-spangled shindig—seriously! One year, more than 10,000 people came out to spend Independence Day the Drummond way.
It's a family affair through and through, with Ladd running the firework show, Ree taking to the dance floor, and the kids enjoying it all. But if you can't make it out to the home of Drummond ranch, go ahead and copy a few of their super special 4th of July activities. Whether you're throwing your own backyard barbecue or headed to a pool party, these 4th of July traditions inspired by the Drummond's party in Pawhuska will fill your holiday with reminders of American freedom, tons of family fun, and, of course, plenty of delicious food.
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Fire up the Grill
An essential to celebrating the 4th of July? Firing up the grill, of course! It wouldn't be a Pioneer Woman cookout without burgers, hotdogs, tacos, plus all the fixings and BBQ sides you could ask for. Check out Ree's many summer cookout recipes and get ready for a festive feast!
Decorate Your Space
Whether you're hosting a patriotic party or enjoying the holiday at home, sprucing up your space with red, white, and blue accents is a surefire way to bring out an abundance of festive spirit. You can DIY decorations or purchase American flags and banners similar to the ones seen at the Drummond's big celebration.
Watch the Fireworks
According to Ladd Drummond, no Independence Day is complete without fireworks—and he's right! If you really want to feel patriotic, you've got to break out the pyrotechnics. But good luck beating Ladd's fireworks display. As Ree pus it, the show is "Executed by cowboys who have SERIOUS issues 🤠... Not kidding, it's a 40-minute finale and it's not normal. 💥"
Listen to Festive Music
Even if you don't go all out with live music like the Drummonds, you can still queue up a playlist full of everyone's favorite patriotic tunes. Who knows, maybe you'll even have musically inclined guests in the mix willing to pick up a guitar for the ultimate holiday jam session!
Play Carnival Games
Setting up a slew of outdoor games makes it easy to have just as much festive fun as the Drummond fam! Their Pawhuska party involves classic carnival games like bean bag toss and balloon pop, but you can choose any activities that you think will bring the most family-friendly excitement to your day.
Wear Patriotic Outfits
Show off your patriotic pride this 4th of July with festive outfits! From red, white, and blue clothes to star-spangled accessories, dressing for the holiday is such a fun way to celebrate. Just take it from the Drummond ladies—they're always going all out with their ensembles!
Dance the Night Away
Get your dancing shoes ready! The Pioneer Woman's crew sets up a huge dance floor right in the middle of their street party. From lively line dances to swaying under the stars, it's the perfect way to bring friends and family together for unforgettable memories.
Participate in Patriotic Karaoke
No one can resist belting out festive ballads on the 4th of July—not even the Drummond ladies! So, take a cue from them and gather your friends and family for a lively karaoke session. Once the music gets going, you won't be able to stop!
Enjoy Rodeo Entertainment
It just makes sense for the Patriotic Party on the Prairie to have a mechanical bull! If you want to bring extra excitement to your Independence Day, try it out yourself! The thrilling activity adds a touch of frontier fun to patriotic festivities, creating unforgettable memories for guests of all ages.
Get Your Face Painted
How fun is this face painting booth at the Drummond's spectacular shindig? From stars and stripes to summery designs, it's an activity that will delight kids and adults alike. You can easily recreate the setup in your own backyard, too.
Attend a Patriotic Parade
Before Ree's Patriotic Party on the Prairie comes the Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce’s Freedom Celebration Parade! From festive floats and marching bands to decorated bikes and participants decked out in costume, parades are a lively way to celebrate the 4th. Find one near you and enjoy the timeless tradition!
Eat Summer Sweets
Ice cream and snow cones and pie, oh my! Charlie's Sweet Shop, owned by The Pioneer Woman herself, is always open and serving up delightful desserts during their Independence Day party. She jokes, "This particular sundae is really not a part of my recent fitness and wellness plan...but everything in moderation, right?" Whip up your own summer sweets such as flag-themed cakes or red, white, and blue trifle.
Macie Reynolds is the assistant editor of E-Commerce and SEO for The Pioneer Woman.
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