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14th Annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival
March 11th - 14th, 2010
By Mark McMillan
I think the Festival itself deserves what every entertainer was hoping for at the end
of their performance - a standing ovation! It was once again an outstanding success
and folks from far and wide went home happy!
Preserving the memories of BC Cowboys and the cowboy way of live, encouraging younger
generations to carry on the cowboy way, and passing this culture on to the general
public, is what the BC Cowboy Heritage Society is all about. One of the best ways to
educate people is by doing it in a way that they can enjoy learning - not really even
knowing that they are learning. The Kamloops Cowboy Festival does all this and more.
Some of the highlights at this year's Festival were; the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame
inductions, the student scholarship presentations, the western art show awards, the
Country 103 Rising Star Showcase, and the Joe Marten Memorial Award. The close to 50
entertainers that performed on 10 different stages throughout the weekend was a bonus.
The weekend entertainment this year was on par with any of the past 13 Festivals -
thoroughly enjoyed by all. The cowboy poets and western singers re-created the cowboy
way of life on stage, in rhyme, in song, in stories, and in music. Some of the stories
were serious, possibly even bringing a tear, and some were so humourous that they
definitely brought many tears! The saloon setting complete with Cancan dancers and
live piano music took the audience back in time as they listened to some of the best
cowboy entertainment in the world.
The BC Cowboy Hall of Fame induction ceremony is a way to recognize the people that made
the stories of the west happen - true working cowboys and ranches that helped shape our
history and our province. This year there were three inductions Friday night during the
main evening feature show at the Calvary Church. Frank Gleeson was inducted in the
"Artistic Achievements" category for his many years of promoting BC's cowboy and ranching
history in the form of stories in rhyme. The Lauder Ranch in the Nicola Valley, was
inducted in the "Century Ranch" category, and Clarence Jules received his plaque as he
was inducted in the "Working Cowboy" category.
The Joe Marten Memorial Award is presented annually to someone that has helped to
preserve cowboy heritage in BC. This year the award was given to the very deserving
Merritt saddlemaker Andy Knight. Andy also proved his abilities as a saddlemaker by
winner both first and second place in the saddle competition in the Festival Art of
the West Show and Sale.
Other ribbons in the Canadian Cowboy Country magazine sponsored Art of the West Show
went to the following, obviously very talented artists:
In flat art - Shannon Lawlor took 1st place in the judge's choice and the people's
choice. Gordon Manson got the 2nd place ribbon, Gena LaCosta won 3rd place, and Lyn
Melnechenko took 2nd place for the people's choice award.
In the photography section Liz Twan took the blue ribbon, Kim Taylor was 2nd, and Krista
Kay went home with 3rd.
1st place in the sculpture division was Linda Kelly, 2nd went to David Maldaner, and
3rd place went to Nancy McMinn.
The best amateur saddle maker was Shane Pittman, 2nd place was Codey Tippe, and Jody
Christie took 3rd.
The professional saddle maker class was won by Any Knight who also received the 2nd
place ribbon. Ryan Cope, winner of the competition for the last two years got 3rd
place.
Once again David Ciriani, Art Show committee chairman, put together a super show, and
I think the public got their money's worth in this one room alone. It's amazing how
much talent is out there, and to see so many examples of such wonderful western art
under one roof is pretty awesome!
The BC Cowboy Heritage Society feels that one of the best ways to educate youth of the
cowboy way is by offering student scholarships. Doug Halliday, the scholarship chairman,
along with his selected panel of judges picked three winners this year, each to receive
$500.00 towards future education. There were a huge number of entries this year and the
judges had their work cut out in deciding which ones were the best in each category.
The final decision was that the written work winner was Jessica Jorgensen from Victoria,
the best art work was submitted by Sarah Roland from Victoria, and the best cowboy craft
was made by Tamara Turner from Pritchard. Congratulations to all three.
The Country 103 Rising Star Showcase went over really well this year, too. There were
14 entries which included some local talent but also performers from Alberta, all over
BC, and even as far away as Arizona. The winners in both the cowboy poetry section and
the western music section took home $1000.00 each and the two runners up in both
categories took home $500.00 each. Lynda Thurston was the top poet with Lyn Melnechenko
and Don "Doc" Howlett as runners up. Dusty Dee Litchfield won the musician 1st place and
Scott Laitre and Ed Wahl took home the runner up cheques. A big thanks to Country 103
for putting up the prize money and helping us to promote our western heritage in story
and in song.
As well as all the above mentioned entertainment and shows, the Festival Trade Show
added another 50 or so booths for the public to browse. These booths were selling
western type products including saddles, art, home décor, tack, photos, and even real
estate. A big thanks to Red and Helen Allen who took on the job of chairmen this year
- it was their first year and they did a wonderful job with one of the best trade shows
yet.
A huge big thanks to all the volunteers, and supporters, that helped make the 14th Annual
Kamloops Cowboy Festival one of the best yet. We're already trying to figure out how we
can make next year's Festival even bigger and better.
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