Date:  July 31, 2026  |   Story: Tiffany Adams  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |  

Saddle up for a summer send-off designed by Candace Wilson Creative

As August arrives, summer vacations come to a close and thoughts of a new school year begin to form. For some, it’s a bittersweet end to a brief era of lazy mornings, pool dates, and late-night board games; for others, it’s the time to look forward to fresh school supplies, new routines, and Friday night football. However you view it, Candace Wilson knows it calls for a celebration.

As the owner of Conway’s Candace Wilson Creative, she planned “The Final Rodeo” to inspire both kids and adults to say adios to summer. “In my mind, this is a bring-your-family-over night where we have a last get-together before we head back to school,” she says.

The setting, Popular on Markham, is Candace’s for-rent event venue in Conway. “We are a small but not-too-small downtown event venue,” she says of the recently renovated 1920s building that can host 125 for seated dinners and more for mingling events. “It’s an open space that is really neutral with black floors and white walls, so you can make it your own to fit any event or theme,” she adds, noting that rehearsal dinners, showers, and even corporate meetings have been hosted here. While renters have the flexibility to decorate on their own, Candace can design a party from start to finish as she did here.

“I love a Western theme, but wanted to do a completely different spin on it so it has a more vibrant vibe,” she says of the atypical cowboy and cowgirl palette and décor. Starting with the invite and coordinating signs, all of which Candace designed, the party features brightly colored horses, hats, boots, and stars that radiate throughout the spaces, inviting guests to get in the Wild West spirit for a true send-off to summer. Read on to see how she pulled the night together.

Take the Stage
To get everyone in on the fun, Candace set up a stage with a microphone for karaoke. Complete with striped velvet drapes and “Yee Haw” columns that accent the Western décor, she notes it could also be a great set-up to have an acoustic guitar player sing country hits.

Kick It Up a Notch
While all of the areas are intended to be kid-friendly, Candace set the table with the adults in mind. “This is the more elevated area where I went a little dressier with the design but still mixed in casual elements so it didn’t feel like kids shouldn’t be here,” she says. Watercolor-inspired placemats featuring horses pair with the floral centerpiece designed by Conway florist Three Poppies. The arrangement, which is echoed in smaller groupings around the room, includes roses, stock, and delphiniums in the party’s vibrant hues.

Tie One On
A bandana bar, made from pegboard and framed with saloon-style doors, holds colorful wardrobe additions for guests to don during the party and take with them when they leave for the evening.

The youngest guests will scoot out the door (and into the next school year) with boot-shaped sketchpads, Western-themed pencils, and a gold horseshoe for good luck. Candace traded bows for bandanas to tie the favors together while staying on theme.

Neon Swoon
Using Candace’s color scheme, SH Cookie Co. created intricately iced cookies for the evening. While the cowboy boot, horseshoe, and hat are Western staples, Candace added her own spin with cookies that feature a Wrangler jean and Alan Jackson lyric: “Livin’ that honky dream dream.” “I like to be a little different in everything I do and bring in something unexpected,” she says.

RECIPE: Signature Drink
Guests can enjoy a Summer Sunset Mocktail (or make it a cocktail!) with this adaptable recipe

SHOP

sugar or tajín, for rim

ice

4 ounces sparkling soda

4 ounces lemonade

grapefruit wedge

peach slice, for garnish

lime wedge, for garnish

PREPARE

Coat the rim of a glass with either sugar or tajín. Add ice to the glass and pour in sparkling soda and lemonade. Squeeze in the juice of one grapefruit wedge. Stir to mix well. Garnish with a peach slice, lime wedge, and themed straw (like the cowboy hat one shown here).

Note: Add 2 ounces tequila or prosecco for an adults-only take on this tasty drink.