Cowboys Heroes & Friends Western Festival 2000 Travelogue
Friday October 27
Friday started off by waking up to something we haven't seen to much in Missouri this year-RAIN- but we had a 10:00 AM show at the MGH Performing Arts Center - to meet, greet and seat the fine festival folks for "The Last Cowboy" -by R.W. Hampton. Then it was a quick rehearsal for the Old West Living History Competition on Saturday. We didn't have a real smooth rehearsal so I called for another practice for 11:30 PM after the last show. After hearing some of the gang talk about 'getting a rope' I decided we were ready. Then it was off to The Shepherd of the Hills to help meet, greet and seat the folks for the luncheon and Wild West Show. While we were seating for lunch, which I do say was excellent ( provided by the Golden Corral), we all prayed for the weather to clear up, but sometimes the trailboss upstairs answers in strange ways. He usually does answer and today his answer was 'G.W. needed a bath!'. So Jim Grady and his staff went to work and got some entertainers in for the festival guests and rescheduled for Saturday.
Here are some of the Vigilante kids enjoying the day anyway- in true Vigilante spirit. Next the tram brought in the festival folks through the tunnel for lunch and to be entertained by some of the entertainers.
With the rain-out, we had time to visit the cowboy mercantile at the MGH Performing Arts Center and some of the chuckwagon campsites and those friendly Longhorns. Each night cowboys would sit around and tell stories and sing around the campfire. There was also hot coffee and cobbler - too good to pass up.
By 7:00 PM it was time again to meet, great and seat. Here is a picture of Nancy (Jim Grady's Girl Friday) and I before the show.
The Friday night Extravaganza.
Stan Corliss * The Rogers Legacy * Dusty Rogers * Sons of the Pioneers
Wow, what a show!!! Did you know, when The Sons of the Pioneers sing 'Cool Clear Water', I could see water coming down right before my eyes. Another outstanding show! After the show all the stars stayed as late as you wanted for pictures and talked and signed autographs.