"We welcome not only our out-of-town guests but the local community, as well, to be part of a fun-filled weekend, in a continuing tradition from the legacy of Rex Allen Sr.," said Gary Truschke, president of Rex Allen Days, Inc.
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Willcox will "Lasso the Future" this weekend during the 56th Annual Rex Allen Days, held every year on the first weekend of October. "The annual Rex Allen Days celebration is a 56-year tradition that people come from far and near to enjoy. It is our hope that you will plan to come to Willcox and help us celebrate," said Delcie Schultz, manager of the Rex Allen Museum, which hosts the main musical performance of the weekend.
New additions to this year's concert event are led by the appearance of Lacy J. Dalton, who will open for Rex Allen Jr. at the live concert stage shows in the Willcox High School Auditorium.
The concert will also include Cody and Logan Allen (Rex Jr.'s twin sons), Pedro Gonzales-Gonzales Jr., Clifton Collins (Pedro's grandson) and Rex Jr.'s original band.
The stage shows, sponsored by the Rex Allen Museum, will take place at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6.
Tickets are $20 for reserved seating and $15 for general seating. For tickets and information, contact the Rex Allen Museum at (520) 384-4583 or (877) 234-4111, or via the website at www.rexallenmuseum.org.
Also new to Rex Allen Days this year are appearances by the Rex Allen Museum celebrity guests. Those scheduled to appear include film actors Dan Haggerty, William Smith, Robert Horton, L.Q. Jones, Don Collier, Peter Brown, Mary Ellen Kay, Bob Hoy, Donna Martell, and Clifton Collins, Jr.
They will be in historic downtown (along Railroad Avenue) and at the Rex Allen Museum during the four days of festivities, Schultz said.
The Best Western Plaza Inn, 1100 W. Rex Allen Drive, is holding its first annual "Trails End" Party from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5.
The party will include a jam session "with all the Rex Allen Days stars."
Hot dogs, hamburgers, and beans, and all the trimmings will be served. There will be no charge for the food, but a donation is requested for the Rex Allen Museum.
"If you want to join all the pickin' and grinnin', please feel free to bring your own instrument," said Levena Swanson, front desk manager at the Best Western. "Maybe you wish to sing along and that is okay, too. The event will be open to the public, so please plan to join us for a really good time. We will have hay bales for you to sit on, but feel free to bring your own lawn chairs."
The Rex Allen Days Rodeo, presented by EuroFresh Farms, will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 6-7 at the Quail Park Rodeo Grounds at 2 p.m. each day.
Grand Canyon Rodeo Association estimates the Willcox Rodeo may be their largest rodeo this year, with more than 600 competitors. It is a designated "6 Pak Rodeo," which is a series rodeo with prizes awarded for the top competitors over a six rodeo series during the year.
A new award this year will be the Rex Allen Days Rodeo Top Hand Award, to be awarded during Sunday's grand entry, to a local hometown contestant who best represents the town of Willcox, and Rex Allen Days Rodeo in the sport of rodeo and the western lifestyle Rex Allen loved.
For more information or tickets, contact Rodeo Chairman Dennis Williams at (928) 651-6605.
Beaudry Motor Company Chevrolet/Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge of Benson is presenting the Rex Allen Days Pre-Rodeo at 12:30 p.m. each day during the Rex Allen Days Rodeo.
Mutton Bustin', Dummy Roping and Stick Horse events are on Saturday and Sunday, and Steer Riding will be added on Sunday. New face helmets for Mutton Bustin' and Steer Riding and belt buckles for prizes were purchased with the sponsorship funds.
For more information or to sign up, call Tony or Jeanie Albright at (520) 384-3315.
Rex Allen Days Park Chairman Kit Judd has planned some new excitement for everyone on Friday, Oct. 5 through Sunday, Oct. 7 in Keiller Park.
"Enjoy dancing, singing, shopping, great food, free rock climbing wall, mime, car show, turtle race, fun kids' relays, old-time cowboy show, youth softball tournament, magnificent Aztec dancers, old time fiddlers and much more," said RAD Treasurer Peggy Judd.
Here is a rundown of the weekend's events:
Friday
The day begins at 8 a.m. with the Rex Allen Queen Contest riding competition at the Quail Drive Rodeo Arena on Fort Grant Road.
The Southeastern Arizona Shrine Golf Tournament begins at 9 a.m. at Twin Lakes Golf Course on Rex Allen Jr. Drive.
From noon until 5 p.m. is the Ninth Annual Western Music, Cowboy Poetry, and Rex Allen Film Festival at Windmill Park and Rex Allen Theater in historic downtown. (See related article on page A12.)
The Rex Allen Days Queen's Luncheon with modeling, speeches, and interviews is from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Big Tex Bar-B-Que on Maley. For tickets, call Marion Tenney at (520) 384-6304.
Rex Allen Jr. and the 2007 Rex Allen Days Queen Destiny Vaught will visit and entertain the Willcox Elementary School at 1 p.m. and at Northern Cochise Community Hospital Nursing Home at 2:30 p.m.
The carnival at Keiller Park begins again at 4 p.m. From 5-7 p.m., will be Nowhere Man and a Whisky Girl. Amy Ross sings through a smile and conducts the keys of her piano while Derrick Ross plays wistful, classically inspired guitar.
The Rex Allen Jr. Celebrity Panel question and answer session is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Windmill Park on Railroad Avenue.
From 7 to 10 p.m. is a family street dance on Railroad Avenue.
Saturday
A full day of activities begins with a Softball Tournament, presented by tht Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperateive, at 9 a.m. at Quail Drive Sports Park on Fort Grant Road.
The Rex Allen Days Parade begins at 10 a.m. in the downtown area. The theme is "Lasso the Future," and the Grand Marshall is Creden Huber.
The Western Music, Cowboy Poetry, and Rex Allen Film Festival runs from the end of the parade until 6 p.m. at the Windmill Park and Rex Allen Theater.
At 12:15 p.m., the 26th Annual General Orlando B. Willcox Turtle Race begins at the Keiller Park basketball courts. Children ages 12 and younger will race their desert tortoises for ribbons and cash prizes.
Park activities, live entertainment, and the carnival will be held all day at Keiller Park, beginning at 10 a.m.
The live entertainment at Keiller Park on Saturday includes:
€ 12:30 p.m.- Encore Dance Academy
€ 1 p.m.- Danza Mexica Cuauhtémoc fabulous drums, dancing and message that will change your heart and bring you to your feet. "Don't miss this experience. Also look for them in the 10 a.m. parade," Judd said.
€ 1:30 p.m. - Parade Awards
€ 1:30-3p.m. - Rex Allen Kids Roundup (Fremont Street Arena). Stick Horse Races/Water Relays/Sack Races/Egg Races. Lots of fun and prizes.
€ 2 p.m. - Old Time Fiddlers
€ 3 p.m. - Female Vocalists: Cindy Rea and Lori T Reunion
€ 3 p.m. - Lee Anderson - Fun Old-time Cowboy/Historian Show (Fremont Street Arena).
€ 4 p.m. - 1st Annual Karaoke Contest - Celebrity Judges, Great New Songs, Cash Prizes! There is a $5 entry fee. Please pre-register from 1 to 4 p.m. The host will be George Duran.
€ 6 p.m. - George Duran shares his vocal talent for our enjoyment.
€ 6:30 p.m. - Willcox High School Show Band
Pre-rodeo activities, including Barrel Racing, Mutton Bustin', Stick Horse Race, and Dummy Roping begin at 12:30 p.m.
Concessions by the Willcox FFA will open at noon at Quail Drive Sports Park.
The Rex Allen Days Rodeo at Quail Drive Rodeo Arena begins at 2 p.m., with a Wild Horse Race.
The Antique Tractor and Engine Show with tractor pulls, kids' games, tractor fun games, and concessions begin at 1 p.m., at 450 E. Grant St.
The headline concerts with Rex Jr., featuring Lacy J. Dalton, Clifton Collins, Jr., and Rex Jr.'s sons Cody and Logan, are at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., at the high school auditorium.
Sunday
The Willcox Rotary Club is serving a chuckwagon breakfast in Windmill Park on Railroad Avenue from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Cowboy Church, Western Music, and Cowboy Poetry begin at 8 a.m. at Windmill Park.
The Men's Softball Tournament also begins at 8 a.m. at Quail Drive Sports Park.
Park activities, live entertainment, and the carnival at Keiller Park begin at 9 a.m. The live entertainment includes free country swing and line-dancing lessons in the Ramada from noon to 1 p.m., and Lee Anderson, authentic Cowboy Historian, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The Antique Tractor and Engine Show at the tractor park begins at 8 a.m. with an early morning service with Gospel music.
Tickets for the rodeo, stage shows and Hall of Fame Dinner are still available in advance by calling the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture at (520) 384-2272.
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