Fandangle Sampler set Saturday

By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual Membership Sampler of the Fort Griffin Fandangle is set  for Saturday at Reynolds Bend on the Matthews Ranch.

The gate at “the Bend” will open at 5:00 p.m., with the performance starting promptly at 6:00 p.m.

The Sampler is a shortened version of the 85th anniversary Fandangle in June and is open to members of the Fandangle Association.

Held at the ranch for a number of years, the membership party and preview returned to the historic Lambshead Ranch for the first time last year after a 25-year absence.

“We are so excited to be able to perform the Sampler at Reynolds Bend again this year in celebration of the Fandangle 85th anniversary,” artistic director Lorna Ayers said. “It is such a special place for us to present the snippets of the summer show since much of the history we retell started at that very spot. It is truly a wonderful place to hold the Sampler.”

Ayers said that the cast and crew are moving out to the ranch on Friday for a dress rehearsal at 7:00 p.m. The group will also do a run-through on Saturday afternoon starting at 2:00 p.m. before the actual performance at 6:00 p.m.

Reynolds Bend is located in the northwest corner of the ranch some 27 miles from Albany, with about half of the trip over gravel roads on the ranch.

The Sampler concludes the annual membership drive that began in January, but Fandangle office manager Jamie Parsons said it is still not too late to join or renew membership in the association and attend the Sampler.

Memberships are available online by going to www.fortgriffinfandangle.org and clicking the “Join” button.

Memberships can also be renewed or purchased at the gate. That will, however, be too late to RSVP for the ribeye steak dinner being prepared by the Icehouse Restaurant.

“We turned in a count of 250 for the meal on Monday, so only those who made reservations will be served,” Parsons said. “But members can bring a picnic supper and join us. We certainly aren’t going to turn anyone away.”

She added that people can drop by the Fandangle office located in the Depot in downtown Albany to purchase  memberships on Thursday or Friday, or they can call the office at 325-762-3838.

For those not familiar with traveling to Reynolds Bend, the main entrance to the ranch is located about 13 miles north of Albany on U.S. 283 North. Follow the signs that will direct visitors to the site of the Sampler.

Parsons said she will have a list of current members and meal patrons at the gate.

A dance will follow the meal with music provided by the Clear Fork Boys and others.

Tickets & Memberships

Memberships and ticket sales are both going well this year, according to the Fandangle office staff.

“Memberships are ahead of where we were last year,” Parsons said. “Ticket sales for the four summer shows have also being going fast. Everyone needs to get their orders in now rather than waiting.”

The performances of the Fandangle, which will be celebrating its 85th anniversary, are set for June 16-17 and June 23-24.

Membership is open to anyone at the following donation levels: Pioneer $25, Longhorn $75, Patron $175, Bronze $250 Silver $500, Gold $1,000, Platinum $2,500, and Diamond $5,000.

Tickets for the summer performances are also available on the website or can be purchased by calling the office.

The anniversary show will be packed with crowd favorites from past shows, with historical events woven in between, according to Ayers.

The Prairie Theater is undergoing major renovation including the entire seating area being reconstructed using limestone block to provide a more secure experience rather than the tiered rows supported by utility poles. The control tower and various other buildings such as the prop room are receiving a face lift.

In addition, the sound system is being replaced for the 2023 show, a major upgrade over the 30-year-old system that was in place.

Through a capital improvement fundraising effort, several other major renovations are also in the works, including repairs and improvements to the steam-powered calliope, restrooms and walkways, and sets, props, and costumes.

For more information, contact the Fandangle office at 325-762-3838 or log on to the website: www.fortgriffinfandangle.org.

Anyone wanting to donate to assist with the renovations can contact the Fandangle office or board president Henry Musselman.