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Western-style fun: See what's new at the 57th Annual Rex Allen Days
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| Do You Remember? From left, Rex Allen Sr., Joe Hines, Fritz Panchalk, Bruce Huffman, Mr. Froelich, Slim Pickens and Black Bart in front of The Toggery in 1951 or 1952, the first or second Rex Allen Days in Willcox. (PHOTO COURTESY / Sandy Hines Kimberling) |
By Ainslee S. Wittig/Arizona Range News
"If you have ever been to Rex Allen Days, here's an invitation to try us again and see what's new," said Rex Allen Days Committee president Gary Truschke. Join us in Willcox as we "Reunite and Remember" during the 57th Annual Rex Allen Days, held this year on Oct. 2-5.
The Willcox Cowboy Hall of Fame activities will induct three cowboys into the organization on Thursday night.
The Favorite Son/Daughter awards, in honor of Rex Allen, the singing Cowboy, will also be part of the evening program.
A carnival is featured all four days of the event, with discount tickets available through the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture (384-2272) and by calling Midway West Amusement at (520) 403-4593.
A country fair with food booths, souvenirs, Juggler James Reid, and the Ronald McDonald magic show will be featured Friday through Sunday. Reid, Juggler Extraordinaire, will perform at two shows on Saturday, and host the Friday evening youth talent search, "In Rex's footsteps." Ronald McDonald will perform Saturday afternoon, and former wrestling world champ Ted DiBiase, the Million Dollar Man, will be the inspirational speaker Saturday evening.
Denise Bjornson will return to Willcox for the upcoming Rex Allen Days celebration where she will be holding a book signing for her debut novel "Defining Gray," at the Keiller Park Library booth on Saturday, from 1-4 p.m.
Denise lived in Willcox from 1962 to 1970 and attended Willcox Elementary School through the third grade. She will be accompanied by her parents, former Willcox Mayor Fred Bjornson and his wife, Marilyn.
The park opens 4 p.m. on Friday when the carnival opens. People are welcome to come for awesome shopping experiences and food and entertainment all during Rex Allen days weekend, closing Sunday at 3 p.m.
The Rex Allen Days Rodeo, is a Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo event held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Oct. 4-5.
Two saddles will lead to two drawings and two chances to win McCalls saddles during the rodeo. Raffle tickets are available for $5 each to earn a chance to win the grand prize saddles. Purchase your raffle ticket at a participating location in Willcox, or by going online to rexallendays.org and using your credit/debit card through paypal, said saddle raffle chairman Robert Momerella.
The two saddles (McCalls "Uinta" Ranch and "Competitor" Barrel Racing saddles) are valued at more than $2,000 each, according to the supplier, Brighton Feed and Saddlery in Colorado. The first drawing winner gets first choice of the saddles, while another winner's name will be drawn for the extra saddle to be given away during the drawing on the first weekend of October. Proceeds go to local charities.
Harry Luge, known locally for his appearances at Country Thunder Arizona, will perform free at a dinner/dance concert Saturday night after the rodeo.
On Friday and Saturday of Rex Allen Days, participants will be pulling antique tractors, modified tractors, mini rods, street stock pickups and Jeeps -- 2x4s and 4x4s. at the Copper States Truck And Tractor Pulling Association's tractor pull. There are shaded bleachers for spectators and lots of parking. Craft and food vendors will be on site for your enjoyment. Come join the fun and bring your pulling vehicle and watch truck and tractor pulling at it's best.
For more information, go on line to www.csttpa.org or call 520-384-4646.
The annual Rex Allen Days Parade runs through downtown beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, followed by the Orlando B. Willcox turtle race at noon in Keiller Park.
Ted DiBiase, "The Million Dollar Man," and actor Lorenzo Lamas will be in the parade Saturday, and at an autograph and book signing at Rodney's on Railroad Avenue at 2:30 p.m. They will also make appearances at the rodeo and the stage show. DiBiase will also be at the Cowboy Hall of Fame dinner, as he is a former out-of-town Willcox Favorite Son.
A men's softball tournament and a tractor pull competition also highlight the activities on Saturday and Sunday. The Rex Allen Days Golf Tournament will be held at Twin Lakes Golf Course on Friday, Oct. 3. Call 384-2720 for information.
And the Willcox Elks Lodge (247 E Stewart St.) will host the Six Shooter 6K at 7 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 4 and start guns go off at 8 a.m. Race day registration - $30 for adults and $25 for youth. To register or for more information, visit: http://www.sixshooter6k.com .
The stage show featuring Rex Allen, Jr. will also include Charlie Rich, Jr., Johnny Western, Pedro Gonzales Gonzales Jr. and Cody and Logan Allen at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Willcox High School auditorium.
Producer Julie Ann Ream will be bringing "The All Star Western Round-up" to this year's Rex Allen Days. The "Round Up" will pay tribute to the television series "High Chaparral" filmed in Old Tucson. Among the cast members scheduled to appear are Bobby Hoy, Don Collier, Ted Markland and Rudy Ramos.
Dan Haggerty, TV's "Grizzly Adams," Bo Svenson and Clifton Collins, Pedro's grandson will also be on hand through the weekend.
Bo Downey and the "Marshall Bo Show" will be filming segments of his show, along with heading up the Wild West Show with his 'Oak Glen Gunslingers." TV and Radio personality Jeff Sutherland will be filming segments of his television show "Jeff's Star Talk" and will act as commentator for the panel discussions with the stars.
Throughout the weekend, also enjoy western music and poetry, Rex Allen movies, autograph sessions and panel discussions, a Wild West Show, Cookout with the Stars Friday night at the Best Western, and a car show.
Eurofresh Farms, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative, and the Valley Telecom Group co-sponsor the celebration at exit 340 off of I-10 in Willcox.
Visit rexallendays.org for more information.
Tickets for the rodeo and stage shows are still available in advance by calling the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture at (520) 384-2272.
The Willcox Cowboy Hall of Fame activities will induct three cowboys into the organization on Thursday night.
The Favorite Son/Daughter awards, in honor of Rex Allen, the singing Cowboy, will also be part of the evening program.
A carnival is featured all four days of the event, with discount tickets available through the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture (384-2272) and by calling Midway West Amusement at (520) 403-4593.
A country fair with food booths, souvenirs, Juggler James Reid, and the Ronald McDonald magic show will be featured Friday through Sunday. Reid, Juggler Extraordinaire, will perform at two shows on Saturday, and host the Friday evening youth talent search, "In Rex's footsteps." Ronald McDonald will perform Saturday afternoon, and former wrestling world champ Ted DiBiase, the Million Dollar Man, will be the inspirational speaker Saturday evening.
Denise Bjornson will return to Willcox for the upcoming Rex Allen Days celebration where she will be holding a book signing for her debut novel "Defining Gray," at the Keiller Park Library booth on Saturday, from 1-4 p.m.
Denise lived in Willcox from 1962 to 1970 and attended Willcox Elementary School through the third grade. She will be accompanied by her parents, former Willcox Mayor Fred Bjornson and his wife, Marilyn.
The park opens 4 p.m. on Friday when the carnival opens. People are welcome to come for awesome shopping experiences and food and entertainment all during Rex Allen days weekend, closing Sunday at 3 p.m.
The Rex Allen Days Rodeo, is a Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo event held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Oct. 4-5.
Two saddles will lead to two drawings and two chances to win McCalls saddles during the rodeo. Raffle tickets are available for $5 each to earn a chance to win the grand prize saddles. Purchase your raffle ticket at a participating location in Willcox, or by going online to rexallendays.org and using your credit/debit card through paypal, said saddle raffle chairman Robert Momerella.
The two saddles (McCalls "Uinta" Ranch and "Competitor" Barrel Racing saddles) are valued at more than $2,000 each, according to the supplier, Brighton Feed and Saddlery in Colorado. The first drawing winner gets first choice of the saddles, while another winner's name will be drawn for the extra saddle to be given away during the drawing on the first weekend of October. Proceeds go to local charities.
Harry Luge, known locally for his appearances at Country Thunder Arizona, will perform free at a dinner/dance concert Saturday night after the rodeo.
On Friday and Saturday of Rex Allen Days, participants will be pulling antique tractors, modified tractors, mini rods, street stock pickups and Jeeps -- 2x4s and 4x4s. at the Copper States Truck And Tractor Pulling Association's tractor pull. There are shaded bleachers for spectators and lots of parking. Craft and food vendors will be on site for your enjoyment. Come join the fun and bring your pulling vehicle and watch truck and tractor pulling at it's best.
For more information, go on line to www.csttpa.org or call 520-384-4646.
The annual Rex Allen Days Parade runs through downtown beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, followed by the Orlando B. Willcox turtle race at noon in Keiller Park.
Ted DiBiase, "The Million Dollar Man," and actor Lorenzo Lamas will be in the parade Saturday, and at an autograph and book signing at Rodney's on Railroad Avenue at 2:30 p.m. They will also make appearances at the rodeo and the stage show. DiBiase will also be at the Cowboy Hall of Fame dinner, as he is a former out-of-town Willcox Favorite Son.
A men's softball tournament and a tractor pull competition also highlight the activities on Saturday and Sunday. The Rex Allen Days Golf Tournament will be held at Twin Lakes Golf Course on Friday, Oct. 3. Call 384-2720 for information.
And the Willcox Elks Lodge (247 E Stewart St.) will host the Six Shooter 6K at 7 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 4 and start guns go off at 8 a.m. Race day registration - $30 for adults and $25 for youth. To register or for more information, visit: http://www.sixshooter6k.com .
The stage show featuring Rex Allen, Jr. will also include Charlie Rich, Jr., Johnny Western, Pedro Gonzales Gonzales Jr. and Cody and Logan Allen at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Willcox High School auditorium.
Producer Julie Ann Ream will be bringing "The All Star Western Round-up" to this year's Rex Allen Days. The "Round Up" will pay tribute to the television series "High Chaparral" filmed in Old Tucson. Among the cast members scheduled to appear are Bobby Hoy, Don Collier, Ted Markland and Rudy Ramos.
Dan Haggerty, TV's "Grizzly Adams," Bo Svenson and Clifton Collins, Pedro's grandson will also be on hand through the weekend.
Bo Downey and the "Marshall Bo Show" will be filming segments of his show, along with heading up the Wild West Show with his 'Oak Glen Gunslingers." TV and Radio personality Jeff Sutherland will be filming segments of his television show "Jeff's Star Talk" and will act as commentator for the panel discussions with the stars.
Throughout the weekend, also enjoy western music and poetry, Rex Allen movies, autograph sessions and panel discussions, a Wild West Show, Cookout with the Stars Friday night at the Best Western, and a car show.
Eurofresh Farms, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative, and the Valley Telecom Group co-sponsor the celebration at exit 340 off of I-10 in Willcox.
Visit rexallendays.org for more information.
Tickets for the rodeo and stage shows are still available in advance by calling the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture at (520) 384-2272.
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