Wild West Day set downtown
Organizers are busy putting the finishing touches on plans for this Saturday’s Wild West Day in downtown Albany, and they are hoping that the pleasant forecast and the plethora of family friendly activities will attract a big crowd.
“We have a lot of activities planned and have put so much work into it, that I am really hoping people will show up to enjoy it,” said Albany Chamber of Commerce manager Mary Beth Jones.
Special events begin near the Bank Park with a half-hour calliope concert by Louann George starting at 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 27, followed by an attempted bank robbery and a shoot-out at 12:30 p.m.
A pie baking contest is free to all entries, with prizes awarded in four categories. Enter at the Blue Duck Winery (T.E. Jackson Warehouse) between 1:00 and 1:30 p.m. For a small donation, anyone can sample a slice at the winery between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.
A two-part melodrama will take to the stage at the Aztec Theater at 1:15 and 4:00 p.m., then continue at the Courthouse at 2:45 and 5:30 p.m. The performances are free to the public.
Also free and open to everyone is a magician performing at the Aztec meeting room at 3:15 and 4:40 p.m., award winning fiddlers at the Whitney Theatre at 2:00 and 3:30 p.m., activities at the Old Jail Art Museum from 1:00 to 4:40 p.m., and blacksmith demonstrations behind First National Bank every half hour from 1:30 until 4:30 p.m.
The Fandangle train will leave the Depot every half hour from 1:30 to 4:40 p.m., and anyone is welcome to climb aboard. A Fandangle wagon history tour will depart from the Depot at the three-quarter hourfrom 1:45 to 3:45 p.m.
Domino games will be taking place inside of Vintage Vanilla between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.
The Bank Park area will be filled with vendors, petting zoos, stick horse races, and a kids roping pen.
The Courthouse grounds are likely to see Fort Griffin Solders and outlaws brushing shoulders.
Organizers are hoping to encourage more people to participate in the singing contest so they have decided to wave the original entry fee.
“You can just show up at the stage by the Icehouse at 6:00 p.m. and we’ll get you signed up,” said Jones. “The first place singer will get $400 in CareFest tickets and $200 cash. Second place will be given $200 in cash and third will get $100.”
Walnut Street between Highway 6 and Brookshire’s parking lot will be blocked off for dancing.
Wild West Day isn’t expected to end until about 10:30 p.m.
“Come out and have a good time,” invited Jones.
Vendor Reservations
To reserve a vendor space for Wild West Day, call Lisa Barton at 325-762-3388. Vendor spaces are free to nonprofits and Chamber members, and are $25 for others.
For more information about Wild West Day, contact Jones at the Chamber office during business hours Tuesday through Friday by calling 325-762-2525.
