Celebrity judges lined up to decide Fandangle parade winners
By Donnie A. Lucas
Two celebrity judges will be coming to Albany on Saturday, June 17 to the annual Fandangle Parade, as well as staying for the performance of the local production afterwards.
Texas icon Red Steagall, an American actor, musician, poet, and stage performer who focuses on American Western and country music, and Tim Long, president of Cowtown Coliseum in the Stockyards at Ft. Worth, have both committed to serve as parade judges and attend the Fandangle, according to artistic director Lorna Ayers.
This is the 85th anniversary of the local outdoor production that tells the story of the settling of the Clear Fork of the Brazos area over 150 years ago.
Show dates this season are June 16-17 and June 23-24. Tickets can be purchased online or by contacting the Fandangle office located in the Depot. The website is www.fort griffinfandangle.org, or patrons can call 325-762-3838.
“Tickets are going fast,” office manager Jamie Parsons said. “We have sold 60 to 70 percent on both Saturdays, and 50 percent of the two Friday shows. Local people do not need to wait too long if they know they want to see the show.”
Tickets are $20 each, with both military and group discounts of 20 or more available.
Box seats are still available for Friday, June 23 only. Boxed seating is available only to members at a cost of $25 per ticket sold in groups of four or six.
The Fandangle ticket office is now open on Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Parade Entries
“We really need more local entries in the parade, especially by organizations and businesses,” Ayers said. “Parade participation needs a boost since this is the 85th anniversary.”
Anyone interested in entering the parade can fill out an entry form online. Click the parade tab located on the top menu bar.
Entries can also be made by calling the office or dropping by in person.
“We are really excited about our celebrity judges joining us this year,” Ayers said. “We are hoping the people of Albany will come through for us with local entries.”
Rehearsals Continue
Rehearsals are set for Sunday through Thursday evenings during the three weeks remaining prior to the opening show.
“Conflicts with end of the year school activities are ending, and we really need everyone to come to rehearsals,” Ayers said. “We have had a good response, but it is time for everyone to come who plans to be in the show.”
Ayers reminded parents that all children through the sixth grade must be accompanied by a parent during rehearsals.
The full rehearsal schedule is online, including any updates.
“There are details on the schedule about small group rehearsals on certain days that everyone needs to be aware of at this point,” Ayers said. “Overall, the cast seems very excited this year, and I am too.”
Ayers said that large numbers of kids are participating in the animal prairie scene at the beginning of the show this year.
“We are practicing the big numbers on Tuesday and Thursdays,” she said. “Those scenes are filling up, and I really can’t add people later on.”
Ayers said that there are quite a few new families in the cast this year, both longtime Albany residents and newcomers to the community.
Children’s rehearsals for the Indian scene, square dancing, “Little Devils” and “Last in Line” will continue on Sunday evenings starting at 6:00 p.m.
Practice for teenagers in Huppi Hi and the “Train” are set for Wednesdays starting at 7:30 p.m., while the large productions numbers will be rehearsed starting at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursday.
The Fort Griffin street scene and Beehive practices are on Mondays at 7:30 p.m.
No rehearsals have been set for Fridays or Saturdays at this point.
Cast members are asked to join the Remind app by texting @fandan to 81010 to receive notifications pertaining to rehearsals.
