Sampler draws crowd to Bend
By Donnie A. Lucas
A crowd of over 200 members and guests made the trek to Reynolds Bend on the Matthews Ranch to get a preview of the 85th anniversary Fort Griffin Fandangle on Saturday, which was performed by a cast and crew of about 75.
“It was a wonderful success,” artistic director Lorna Ayers said. “The show was perfect, and everyone seemed to have a great time.”
The Sampler performance started at 6:00 p.m., followed by a steak dinner and dancing.
Ayers said that the weather cooperated, although a little windy, for the outdoor performance at the amphitheater just steps away from the historic Barber Watkins Reynolds house where Sallie Ann Reynolds married John A. Matthews on Christmas Day in 1876.
The Sampler was held last year at Reynolds Bend for the first time in 25 years, with the location used again this year because of the Fandangle’s anniversary. Much of the story that the Fandangle tells comes from the book “Interwoven” that was written by Sallie Matthews about growing up on the edge of the western frontier and the interweaving of the Reynolds and Matthews families.
“Being able to hold the Sampler at Reynolds Bend again this year was such a treat for all of us,” Ayers said. “It is great for members of the audience and the cast as well to be at the place where some of the stories we tell actually occurred.”
Fandangle office manager Jamie Parsons reported that memberships are higher this year than last year, and ticket sales for the summer performances in June are also higher at this same point.”
“We have already sold over 40 percent of the tickets for Parade Day on June 17,” she said. “Overall, we are at over 30 percent sold for all four performances, which is great for this point with two months still to go.”
Parsons urged local residents not to wait to purchase tickets.
“We have had a lot of people calling from the Metroplex who have seen our social media advertising,” she said.
Reserve seat tickets are available at $20 each, while boxed seats are $25 and only sold in for entire boxes of four, six or eight seats.
Box seats are only available to members of the association to purchase.
Memberships are still available and range in price from $25 to $5,000. Some levels of membership include perks such as parking passes for preferred parking locations and recognition in the Fandangle program.
Tickets and memberships can be purchased online at the website: www.fortgriffinfandangle.org or by calling 325-762-3838.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals for the summer shows will start on Sunday, May 7 for children in the Indian sequence and square dancing, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
During the month of May, rehearsals for the Beehive Saloon scene will be held on Mondays, with large production numbers practicing on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Wednesdays will be for students currently in high school to practice the Huppi Hi dance, while current seventh and eighth graders will practice the Yoleda, or young love dance, on Wednesdays as well.
Parents must register all children in advance before attending any rehearsal, including signing a parental agreement. The forms are available online at the website: www.fortgriffinfandangle.org. Access the “cast” tab. A full rehearsal schedule is also available online. The password for the cast section is 2023.
All rehearsals start at 7:30 p.m.
