All Heart: Rael family Independence Day celebration biggest yet

The 2025 July Fourth celebration at Jennie and David Rael’s Cowley home was almost the last. Three stents and a couple bottles of pills later, David is back up from his near fatal heart attack and is excited about hundreds of people coming to his house for Independence Day.

He was conscious for the entire ordeal as he was life-flighted to Billings for surgery. A family doctor and friend hugged him as they loaded him for the trip, later telling David he thought it would be their last goodbye.

It will take more than a bum ticker to hold David down. Since the heart attack he keeps a busy schedule, just at a slower speed.

“I still do whatever I want, it just takes longer,” he said.

His first step was a doozy. 

The couple just returned from an African safari in Tanzania recently. While the Rael’s fell in love with the country, there were at least one kudu, a warthog, a cape buffalo and a jaguar that wished his doctors would have grounded him for the year. It was the Rael’s first trip to the home of Kilimanjaro, but it won’t be the last, he said.

“Africa is one of the most beautiful, intriguing continents you’ll ever witness,” the 67-year-old said.

As soon as the Independence Day party is over and the lawn is back to normal, David and Jennie plan to grab their middle son, Phillip, and head back to Tanzania before the end of the month.

Tuesday, David took his annual trip to Riverton to pick up a trailer full of fireworks. He takes a truck full of his grandchildren and their friends on the trip each year, making a day of shopping for rockets, sparklers and cannon fire large enough to be heard across the basin.

News the Rael party will continue despite the health scare is a relief to his many friends and fans of the event. Others questioned whether the Rael’s sale of S&L Industrial, the couple’s business and sponsor of the party all these years, might mean the end of the celebration. 

David said they had two options: They could liquidate the business or they could sell to someone who pledged to stay in Cowley. They found the right buyer in Road Safety Services, Inc.

The company, known as RSS, is a market-leading provider of pavement marking and traffic control services in numerous locations across the United States. Since 2017, RSS has successfully grown by acquisition and organically and currently provides services to customers across 14 states. The company is currently in the process of acquiring Idaho and Montana properties and plans to make Cowley their regional office.

“Everyone kept their job. It was a win-win for the community,” he said.

Now, despite the busy year the family has faced, David and Jennie are reaching into their own pockets and hosting what they hope will be the best party ever.

As a matter of fact, thanks to the 250th anniversary, it will be the largest fireworks display ever witnessed by the diehard fans of the Cowley event, which has drawn in thousands to the tiny town to celebrate America for decades.

The entree

For about the past quarter century, members of the Rael family have sweated for days to prepare and cook beef and whole hogs for the party. But this year the couple have opted to let Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, out of Billings, do all the heavy lifting and provide the meat.

Of course, like every year, those coming for the meal portion of the day are strongly urged to bring a side dish. The feast alone is worth the trip to Cowley. 

Hundreds of happy, hungry people all line up, say grace and dig in to the many church tables full of fabulous family recipes, everything from multiple recipes of potato salad to homemade fruit pies.

David and Jennie are always the last to go through the line. A few years went by when pickings were slim as they searched the leftover containers for a full meal. All that work and they couldn’t even find an unbroken chip or one of the fabulous cookies he watches brought in by the dozens. All they ask is those who attend bring something to share, ensuring there’s enough to go around for everyone. The Raels provide the meat and the soft drinks. The party is a non-alcohol event.

They also provide shade, but you might want to bring a comfy camp chair; those provided go quick. Plus, the chairs will be handy when everyone picks up and heads a couple blocks north of the ranch to watch the sky explode with color.

Live music

Arizona country music artist Harry Luge will return to entertain after lunch. Luge is a country singer who makes you feel something real. With a voice as rugged as the backroads and a stage presence that pulls you in like an old friend, he mixes timeless country storytelling with a modern edge for a sound that’s all heart and 100% authentic.

“He really gets the kids involved,” David said.

Other activities for the children will keep them buzzing for days. Whether that’s from the fun or the sugar rush they get from the candy bursting from the many piñatas is still up for debate. Between the big meal, dancing, playing games and the huge fireworks show, the little ones should be ready to sleep once they hit the road for the trip home.

Military and first
responders tribute

Every year there is a special tribute to all first responders and active and retired members of the military.

“The show is dedicated to the brave men and women who have served in the military and first responders,” David said.

At the end of the night the exhausted couple looks out on Airport Road to watch the light show of everyone leaving the party. It’s one of the few moments they get a full picture of how many people came to the party, David said. 

He’s expecting about 700 for lunch and thousands for the pyrotechnics. When the road finally clears and the couple can rest their aching feet, David will tell Jennie this year’s party could be their last if she wants. Then, in the morning, they will start planning for the next year just as they have done for most of the past 35 years.

“She’s my rock,” he said. “She’s always positive, always. I mean, the glass is always half full. That’s my Jennie.”