THE SHOW MUST GO ON !
And it did at Richland Center, WI
Once I arrived at the fairgrounds at Richland Center on Tues to review the damage done by a "Once in a 100 year flood" I thought there was no way it can happen. The flood waters completely covered the entire fairgrounds and marks on the wall showed the indoor arena had 30" of water the entire length of the building. Everything was water logged and covered in mud. I returned again on Thursday to see how things were shaping up.
The fairgrounds was interest of many volunteers busy cleaning up various areas of the grounds, barns, buildings, ticket stands, wooden fences, etc. I immediately went to the show barn and after one look decided I should go back home and start making the phone calls to cancel the show.But, a special volunteer walked over to me and said,"Don't worry, I'll make sure this is done by tomorrow night!" Marty sprecher called two other volunteers and said " you fellows are sticking with me, No matter who wants what, This building is our first priority and we are going to have it done if we need to work all night!!"
When I returned Friday morning, I couldn't believe my eyes. marty had all the bleachers outside with people cleaning them and he was inside with his own personal loader bucket cleaning out the wet shavings and two other volunteer dump-truck drivers hauling the mess away. By noon the same trucks were hauling clean shavings back in. Marty your our HERO!!
Because of all these efforts Michael Lee once again hosted the Midwest Wild West Convention for the 13th year.
Friday evening our first attendees arrived. what a great surprise. It was Tim & Marie Sears from Cazdnovia, NY. They haven't been here for a few years. After a little visiting, they both jumped in and began helping with the setting up. Tim is retired now and promised they'd be back next year. We certainly hope so as everyone missed them. John Mueller also returned again this year from Loves Park, IL. He not only does a great job of entertaining everyone with his variety of talents, but also always brings us a good supply of spot cord for those who wish to purchase some at a very reasonable price. Thanks John!!
Ken & Yvonne Hessenaur are regulars at our conventions. They always show up with plenty of enthusiasm. Ken's dad was a trick roper and so Kenny grew up with a rope in his hand. Once again their grand-daughter Hannah was able to come with them. She is not only a great acrobat, but is working with grandpa in a rope act. Great Job!!! We were delighted to see you.
Bob & Jackie Schultz showed up again. Jackie is a trick roper and Bob always spends the weekend video taping all the action. They also host a one-day get-together near Milwaukee every spring for us. Complete with a pot luck dinner and plenty of Wild West action.
The Lee family ladies once again made food available throughout the day Sat. & sun. and also prepared the meal for the Saturday evening meal. Thank you Yvonne for the tasty treats.
Roger Hansen is not only a rope spinner and bullwhip artist but is an advanced juggler, and presented a great show for everyone on Sunday. If you have never seen the charro roping skills of Bill Smith, then you have missed a terrific show. Bill use to do a lot of cotton roping but now puts most of his talents to charro roping and it is a delight to watch.
What can I say about our Big Loop Record Holder Charlie Keyes that hasn't already been said? Charlie not only always attends but had to make extra efforts at it this year as he had to leave Sat. evening for other commitments and then get up early Sun to drive all the way back from Milwaukee. Charlie came up the weekend before and went with Duane Lee, Ryan Lee, and I to the Wild West Days at Viroqua, WI. Of course, this was the time of the "Big Flood" and therefore it rained all day, but we still got to spend some good time together..
Duane Lee's 4 yr old son Ryan also competed in the contests on Sunday with his own variation of rope spinning and gun spinning..
Jerry Gunderson was only able to spend sat. with us this year, but we're always glad to have him attend. Jerry's main interest is Bullwhips, and he likes to work the big whips.
Saturday was mostly practice and instructions. After the meal Saturday evening, Michael Lee presented "Col. Lee's Medicine Show" complete with snake oils, cure-alls and magic. He and his wife Mary had a magic show for many years until her retirement from show business approx. 7 yrs ago.
Sat. evening was finished out with more rope spinning.
Sunday morning found everyone really practicing for the contests at noon. We began the contest with rope spinning followed by gun spinning, target whips best novelty act & big loop. Something new this years was "Champion all around" for the person who entered all or most of the contests. This was the idea of Time and Marie Sears who judged it and presented the award they donated in memory of Bob Kincaid. Thank You Tim & Marie!
Thank You to everyone who helped take down and pack everything up. It was greatly appreciated.
Next year we are planning some new things, so watch the website for more information. It has been suggested to have atleast 3 judges for each event or maybe different judges for the various contests. mark your calendars for Aug. 23-24 2008. Hope to see you all back next year and hopefully many more.
Michael LeeWisconsin
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