I am planning a client/employee appreciation cook-out for October. Would like some fun ideas?

A Country Western theme is great all year round. How about an old fashion picnic: barrel race, three legged race, egg or water balloon toss, checkers, croquet, yard darts, scavenger hunt, Pony and Hay rides give everyone that physical attraction of the country environment. Tables could be covered in red and white table covering . Guests can be bucked off a mechanical bull, throw horseshoes, wear country western outfits, line dance and just clown around.

Speaking from experience, let me first advise you NOT to do a Dunk Tank. It is one of those things that always sounds like a great idea, but it goes over like a ton of bricks. That's just the way it is. I would also suggest having a DJ if you haven't already thought of that.

Now, I am a former picnic event planner, BUT I did read your entire question, so I'm not going to speak in generalities any more. Let me give you some specific ideas:

In keeping with a "Fall Festival" theme, try doing a hey ride if you've got the land to do it. I know they normally are more effective at night, but as long as the weather isn't too warm or humid, it will still be a blast.

I remember one thing I did once that was just great. I went to a kind of museum (more of an outdoor farming experience), and they brought volunteers up from the audience show who had never milked cows to give it a shot. Having never done that, I thought it was an absolute blast. Try doing something with that, like maybe a milking contest. Really, anything dealing with farm animals would fit into a "fall festival" atmosphere, like maybe a piglet chase with a sizeable gift certificate awaiting the winner.

Having no idea where you live, if there is some kind of popular rural music in your area (bluegrass, appalachian, etc), why not have a decent local band (or maybe even a regionally popular one) come play at your event.

Since you already know that food is a big winner, you could put together a kind of "goodie-bag" for your guests, that could start with some homemade molasass, or other country-style homemade delectables that people could possibly buy in a store but would appreciate in a more rural environment.

Hope at least one of those spark a good idea.

It really depends on your location, are you outside? is there lots of space? I am a professional event producer and if you were my client, I would recommend really playing into the autumn theme that having your event in October lends itself to. Have horse drawn hay rides, pumpkin carving, apple cider making, even colourful leaf crafts for the younger guests. Temporary tattoos and caricatures are always really fun as well. Get some hay bales and picnic tables for the seating to help add to the theme. Hire a guitar player to sit around a campfire (doesn't have to be real fire) and lead a sing along and generally entertain people. If it's going to be within a couple of weeks of Halloween, then send each of your guests home with a pumpkin as a small gift. Be sure to have music at your event, even if it's only a dj and make sure that there is a mic available so that you can welcome everyone and then thank everyone at the end of the event. Be careful about your dunk tank idea - you are the hostess of this event and should be 'shmoozing' with all of your guests and making sure things are going well, not being stuck in a giant bucket of water. Dunking booths are really only fun when employees get to dunk mean bosses or students get to dunk teachers - grown ups really don't get more than 5 minutes of fun from them, your money can probably be better spent. But most of all, relax and enjoy your own event - visiting with your guests is what they will really remember and appreciate.

You are never to old to rent a moonwalk!!! Also, it would be super fun to have a "field day" type event, like we used to do in our early school years. Potato Sack race, egg in spoon race, bobbing for apples, kick ball, dodge ball.... split everyone into teams!!! I wish my employer would do something FUN like that!

& Bingo would be great for those less active employees!

Well at ours we play bingo for prizes, after you bingo you can't play anymore to give others a chance....and heck who doesn't like bingo? It's always fun.

Karaoke. Might cost but could be a real hoot.