New Fandangle workers get season started
By Kathy Thomson
There are new faces in the Fandangle office starting this month, with Jamie Parsons taking over as office manager and Scarlett Yates heading up the marketing for the 2020 season.
Fandangle board president Branch Bartee said this week that directors met several times in January in order to determine how best to fill the vacant office positions, announcing their decision in time for Parsons and Yates to both start working during the fist week in February.
Both have hit the ground running, with some help from former office manager Lyn Baker, who is helping them get their bearings.
“Right now we’re getting out membership letters,” said Parsons. “We are making a good team, and we are excited to be working on the new season.”
Parsons Info
Parsons is originally from Albany, but lived in Merkel from fourth grade until she moved back to Albany in 2004 when she married lifelong Fandangler and board member Dustin Parsons.
The couple has three children – Slayton, a third grader at Nancy Smith Elementary School, Chelsy, a freshman at Albany High, and Madi, a sophomore at Texas A&M.
“I’ve always thought that Fandangle is an important part of our community,” said Parsons. “Working here also allows me to have a schedule that fits well with being a mom.”
Parsons’ first time in the show was when she was three years old.
“I was in ‘Women’s Work’ with my mother,” said Parsons. “After I married and moved back here, I rode sidesaddle for a couple of years. Now I have children who are horseback in the show, so I’m backstage helping out.”
Marketing Director
Scarlett Yates, a native of Eula, says she always wanted to attend the Fandangle.
She finally did in 2018, and she wrote an article titled “Famously Fun Fandangle” as part of her summer internship with the Texas Forts Trail Region.
The article is available at texasfortstrailtraveler.com and includes some of her impressions of the show.
“I was delighted by the story that was being brought to life; I laughed, smiled, and clapped almost the entire show,” Yates wrote. “It’s easy to see why the Fort Griffin Fandangle attracts visitors year after year. This is an event that brings the town together – young and old, and the people of Albany put their hearts into sharing their rich heritage.”
Yates said that she is very happy to be working for the Fandangle, and excited to be working in exactly the type of position that she trained for in college.
“I just graduated from Hardin-Simmons with a degree in strategic communication and public relations,” she said. “I love small towns. I am so grateful for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to serve the folks of Albany, the great state of Texas, and beyond!”
Yates lives in Abilene but said that could change after her lease expires in June.
“I would love to live here,” she said. “Everyone has been so kind. It was just like I was expecting.”
Yates is currently designing this year’s Sampler invitations, and working on advertising.
Rehearsals
“Rehearsals for Sampler will begin the Monday after spring break,” said artistic director Lorna Ayers. “Everyone needs to come to all rehearsals beginning with the first one.”
The first practice will be held at the Aztec Theater on Monday, March 16 starting at 7:30 p.m.
The Sampler is scheduled for Saturday, April 25.
The summer shows will be on June 19, 20, 26, and 27, with the Bugle Call starting the show at 8:30 p.m.
“This year’s theme will follow the lives of many of the founding families of the area,” said Ayers.
The parade will be Saturday, June 20 at 5:00 p.m. in downtown Albany.
Memberships
Fandangle membership letters were mailed out this week. Memberships may also be purchased online at fortgriffinfandangle.org.
Membership levels will remain the same, starting at $25 for those 65 or older, or $75 for individuals and families.
As always, members will be invited to the Sampler on Saturday, April 25, at the Flat.
Added benefits, depending on the membership level purchased, may include free tickets to the summer show, access to a members’ hospitality tent or a VIP hospitality tent, drinks, meal vouchers, and more.
