Historic Weaponry Days highlights American West Heritage Center
The American West Heritage Center presents the fourth of its seven 2006 Festivals of the American West festival series: Historic Weaponry Days, August 4 and 5. This festival will not only explore weaponry used for hunting and war between 1820 and 1920, but also life on the home front during wartime. There will be plenty of activities for both young and old, including arcade shooting, performances, reenactments, demonstrations, and living history venues of all kinds. In addition, the famous and much loved Buffalo Soldiers will return to the Heritage Center for the festival. Friday will be a free day for all war veterans and he festival will kick-off with a flag raising ceremony.
Given that Historic Weaponry Days falls on the date of the original Festival of the American West, David Sidwell, program director at the Heritage Center indicated “There is a lot of expectation, and we intend to deliver. The Heritage Center will be hosting military reenactments, gun fighting skits, and heavy artillery demonstrations along with plenty of live music, crafts, food, and a Military Ball on Friday evening; we’re going to have some serious fun!”
The festival is not just for firearm enthusiasts, suggests Sidwell: “We have carefully planned this festival to include activities, demonstrations, and entertainment for all interests.” He further pointed out that weaponry has and continues to affect all of us and there is a fascinating history to be learned.
Experts will be on hand to not only interpret weaponry of the past, but to also ensure and teach firearm safety. No personal weapons or live ammunition are allowed on the Heritage Center site, so please leave your firearms at home. For more information about the Heritage Center or this festival, call them at (435) 245-6050 or visit their website: www.awhc.org .
Activities at this festival include:
• Arcade shooting: Young and old have the opportunity for safe target shooting small caliber rifles, slingshots, and BB guns. Quick draw contests coached by the American West Gunfighters will also be available.
• Reenactment and demonstration shows play regularly throughout both festival days, and feature reenactments by the world famous New Buffalo Soldiers, comedy skits by the American West Gunfighters and the Rendezvous Creek Players, Ray Howser and his popular antique canon demonstrations, storytellers, and cowboy poets. Visitors can also experience a new soldier’s hasty wedding as he is called to World War I (and join the snack-filled wedding festivities!). Also demonstrated will be lead bullet-making, gun cartridge anatomy, and many other features. Other presentations include “A Women’s Role in the West” (presented by Festival favorite Jeani Anderson Jenks), “What do Soldiers Eat Today” (presented by the Utah National Guard), “The Pinkerton Detective Agency” as told by genuine Pinkerton descendants, and a lively history of the Sheriff’s office in northern Utah. Many visitors find the unforgettable flag raising ceremony at the festivities’ opening to be one of the Heritage Center’s key events.
• Flag Raising Ceremony Both days will begin with a patriotic flag raising ceremony at 12:15 to honor both Old Glory herself as well as our much appreciated war veterans.
• Live Music: Root Beer Reunion, Brass Tacks, the High Falutin’ Flute Choir, The Willow Valley Boys, and other favorites will perform at this festival. Saturday evening will feature a special full concert by two of Utah’s favorite bands: Blue Sage and Saddlestrings.
• Pony Rides: Join our friendly ponies for some peacetime riding at our weapon-free 1917 farm site.
• Crafts and Make n’ Takes include making medicine bags at the fur trade/Native American area, assembling 19th century military rations (but a bit yummified), candle dipping, English quilt piecing, finger knitting, and more. There is a minimal cost for some of these activities.
• Food: food and snack vendors will be available throughout the festival.
• Gourmet Dinner Event: The “Officers’ Dinner with the General” will take place on Friday evening and will feature an impressive layout of gourmet dishes from the 1870s, including the General’s favorite: the Steamship of Bison. Reservations required. Visitors attending will automatically be promoted to an officer for the duration of the meal. A special presentation will be made by David Sidwell, Heritage Center program director and renowned storyteller, who has successfully performed at many venues nationwide. (Costumes optional).
• Military Ball: On Friday evening, visitors can attend the military ball and dance to the music of Brass Tacks, one of Utah’s most innovative and impressive brass bands. Free with admission to the festival or dinner; or $5. (Costumes optional).
• Old West Photos: Visitors have the opportunity of having their own outlaw poster made or old West photo taken.
• Special Book Signing: Author Paul Wagaman, will be on hand to sign copies of his exciting new, and well researched novel, Spanish Valley.
• Exhibits include Dave Prevadel’s impressive saddle collection, a Red Cross Display and discussion, a War Memorabilia display, a Pinkerton Detective Agency display and more.
Previous Festivals of the American West have included Baby Animal Days, A Taste of the Past Food Festival, and An Old Time Music Jubilee. Future Festivals will include How the West Was Worn: a festival about clothing, textiles, and leatherworking of the past (which will be held in September), the popular Fall Harvest Festival (October), and A Winter Frolic (December). By expanding the Festival of the American West to a festival series, the American West Heritage Center seeks to better interpret the past through more focused themes and activities.