It’s a wrap!

The 80th anniversary edition of the Fort Griffin Fandangle officially concluded soon after 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 30, with the traditional singing of “Prairie Land” by the entire cast, in front of an audience that included a large contingent of visitors from China, as well as U.S. Representative Jody Arrington and his family.

2018 Recap

Although tickets did not sell out for any of the performances this year, Fandangle board president Steve Waller said he was pleased with this year’s show.

“It was a great Fandangle, and the crowd response was wonderful, and they really seemed to enjoy it,” Waller said. “We are looking forward to next year’s show already.”

Artistic director Lorna Ayers said that she has heard lots of good comments about the show.

“I think that, by and large, the show was a great success,” Ayers said. “I’m already thinking of ideas and story lines for next year.”

Marketing director Meredith Robison added that box seats sold out for both of the last two performances. 

“We also had a lot of walk-up ticket buyers on Friday, and over 50 walk-ups on Saturday,” said Robison. “It was a great year, and we are looking forward to next year.”

Lightning flashed in the not-too-distant sky during almost every performance this June, but the threatening weather stayed just far enough away for the audience, cast, and crew to stay safe and finish the show each night.

“The weather cooperated with us, especially (that first) Saturday evening when we were able to finish before the storm hit,” said Fandangle board president Steve Waller. “I think the cast and crew did a fabulous job of once again telling the stories of our heritage.”

Ayers added that to the best of her knowledge, the only significant injury that occurred this year was when her grandson’s pony spun out from under him, and Ayers Benzer fell and injured his arm.

“He told me, ‘I think I broke my arm, but I still want to ride with the Longhorns’,” said his father, Jeff Benzer.

Ayers Benzer got back on his pony and not only rode with the Longhorns but also with the Young Riders that night. However, after a radiograph later showed that the five-year-old was correct, and a bone was cracked, a cast applied to his broken wrist kept him from being able to ride on Saturday.

Slayton Parsons, who carried the flag as the youngest Fandangle rider a couple of years before, stepped in for the final show.

Special Presentation

Shortly before the start of Saturday’s Fandangle performance, Donnie Lucas was presented with a plaque “in appreciation for being the Voice of the Fort Griffin Fandangle for more than 40 years.”

Lucas said that his involvement in the Fandangle began soon after he moved to Albany in 1977.

“I’ve read the prologue and the Indian sequence from then until last year, but it doesn’t seem like it’s been 41 years,” he said.

Lucas joined Connie Wood as one of the two main narrators about 15 years ago, a role that he gave up last summer.

“This year, a UIL contest conflicted with the Sampler, so Lorna got Pam Davis to read the prologue and Indians for that show,” said Lucas. “Then I had to attend a short course out of town and had to miss three of the rehearsals the last week of practices.”

Lucas credited Pam Davis with doing “an outstanding job!”

But, Lucas cautioned people not to think that the award, which was “a surprise, and very nice,” means that he has quit the Fandangle cast entirely.

“This doesn’t mean that it is the end of my Fandangle career!” Lucas stated. “I haven’t retired!”

2018 DVDs

The Fandangle office, which is located in the Albany Visitors Center, had Pink Goose Media out of Abilene, a professional. full-service video production company, film the 2018 show to create this year’s DVD of the show.

“I encourage people to get a DVD,” said Ayers. “There is a lot of post editing this year, with closeups added. They are going to be fantastic!”

The cost is $35 for the DVDs, and they can be ordered through the Fandangle office in person or by phone at 762-3838.

Other Fandangle souvenirs are also still for sale at the Depot.

Anyone who has a bill for the Fandangle should drop it off at the office as soon as possible so that it can be included in the final bookkeeping.