News
It gets better every year: 57th Annual Rex Allen Days events please the crowds
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| Mike Fortenberry, a Willcox Shriner, waves at the crowd during the 57th Rex Allen Days Parade Saturday morning. (Dave Brown/ARN) |
By Carol Broeder/Arizona Range News
The best Rex Allen Days ever.
That seems to be the consensus on the 2008 event, though most admit we say that every year.
"I kind of agree with Eddie Browning, who said it Thursday night at the banquet. It gets better every year, though we have no idea how or why," said Rex Allen Jr., adding, "Yes, it was the best Rex Allen Days ever, and I'll probably say it again next year."
"The parade was just super this year. It was wonderful," Allen told the Range News. "The school was just wonderful, as usual. Though I didn't think we could top last year, the concert was even better."
"As we learned on Wednesday evening at our Reunite and Remember dinner, one saying that seems to be synonymous each Rex Allen Days is 'The Best One Ever,'"
said Gary Truschke, president of Rex Allen Days, Inc.
"I will have to keep that tradition moving forward as 2008 Rex Allen Days was 'The Best One Ever."
The weather once again cooperated this year. While it could be windy at times on Saturday, it didn't seem to hamper any of the events or activities.
Temperatures were in the low 80s during the day and there was a fall chill in the air at night.
Saturday's parade theme was "Reunite and Remember."
Kelly and Terry Rowden announced the parade, and the parade marshal was Eddie Browning, state director of USDA Rural Development.
The parade judges this year were all Former Willcox Mayors -- Fred Bjornson, Sandra Ousley, and Marlin "Mick" Easthouse.
From about 92 entries, the parade winners were:
Horse & Riders -
1st place, Gila County Rodeo Royalty
2nd place, Rex Allen Days Royalty Contestants
Re-enactment Groups --
1st place, Marshall Bo Oakland Slingers
2nd place, Arizona Shadow Riders
Floats --
1st place, Mardi Gras, Sacred Heart Catholic Church
2nd place, Encore Dance Academy
Marching Entries -- Valley Fire and Rescue
Marching Bands -
1st place, Apache Middle School
2nd place, Willcox High School
The Mayor's Award was given to Pathfinder Construction for its "Pete the Dragon" entry. The dragon bobbed up and down on the parade route, much to the delight of children in the audience.
Owner Mickey Kramme said he challenges other local businesses to "beat me next year."
Parade Chairman Chuck Broeder said trophies are available to pick up at Cheery Cows Antiques and Collectibles. Please call (520) 384-0878.
Always competitive, the Orlando B. Willcox Turtle Race had 19 entries.
In first place was Codie Rupert, second place was Hannah Murillo, and in third place, Damien Esqueda.
Shaye and Stephen Klump, who ran the show, thanked judges Julie and Greg Long and Wayne Brewster.
The concert featured special guest stars Johnny Western, Charlie Rich, Jr., Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, Jr.
It also featured the band, "Arizona" and the third generation of Allens who debuted in Willcox last year - singers Cody Allen and Logan Allen - the sons of Rex Jr.
The special celebrity guests of the Rex Allen Museum were cast members Ted Markland, Bob Hoy, and Don Collier, as part of the All-Star Roundup's Tribute to High Chapparal.
The "Marshall Bo Show" with Bo Downey and "Jeff's Star Talk," with Jeff Sutherland, were in Willcox to participate in and cover the event, as well.
Rex Allen Museum Manager Delcie Schultz offered her thanks to the community on behalf of the museum.
She quoted Bob Hoy, who told her after the concert, "You know, I love coming to Willcox. It's like coming home because everyone here makes you feel so welcome."
"The stars think this is most hospitable and wonderful town they can come to," she said.
"They think Willcox is a wonderful, wonderful place."
Schultz said that while the museum and historic downtown events were "well attended," thought it was "not quite up to last year," as people are cutting back on travel these days.
"We sold almost the same number of buttons as last year," she said.
Both concerts were also well-attended, but the better attendance was probably in the afternoon.
"It was probably about 80-percent full at the 4 o'clock, and about 75-percent full in the evening," Schultz said.
"When the performers look out in the audience and see all those people, it really fires them up."
Schultz said that "the boys" - Cody and Logan - plan to be back next year, as does Pedro. Rex Jr., who is 61, has told her he plans "to come back through his 66th year."
The Willcox Elementary School and Northern Cochise Nursing Home received visits Friday afternoon from Rex Jr. and members of his Arizona band, Rich, Gonzalez Gonzalez, Jr., 2008 Queen Maria Scriven of Hereford, and the rodeo queen contestants Kayla Shores of Willcox and Sarah Richardson of Cochise.
Truschke thanked all the sponsors of Rex Allen Days, who said the event could not have been a success without the support "from our many, many sponsors both within and from neighboring communities."
"These sponsors are many and are of both business and personal contributions," he said. "Some provided the needed cash dollar donations; others provided assistance in many different fashions from material, feed, and of their time. Each and every contribution is very much appreciated, needed and respected."
"I personally would like to thank each and every one of you for all your efforts," Truschke said. "As economic times continue to get tougher, one thing will always be bright in our future is the local community support for one another within our hometown."
Truschke also thanked his committee, Rex Allen Days Inc., who "worked very hard to represent its mission statement to provide a fun-filled weekend honoring our hometown cowboy legend Rex Allen Sr. and his legacy. This annual event takes a lot of dedicated people working throughout the year."
"I am very proud to have worked with such an enthusiastic hard working group of volunteers throughout the two years of my chairmanship. The bumps and bruises that appeared were healed just as fast. Each became visionaries, team leaders, and planners not only within their respective committees, rather within Rex Allen Days as a member."
"There are many changes this group is willing to tackle and I am appreciative to have been part to the listening of such wonderful leadership qualities demonstrated by all," said Truschke, who is the final year of his term as president.
That seems to be the consensus on the 2008 event, though most admit we say that every year.
"I kind of agree with Eddie Browning, who said it Thursday night at the banquet. It gets better every year, though we have no idea how or why," said Rex Allen Jr., adding, "Yes, it was the best Rex Allen Days ever, and I'll probably say it again next year."
"The parade was just super this year. It was wonderful," Allen told the Range News. "The school was just wonderful, as usual. Though I didn't think we could top last year, the concert was even better."
"As we learned on Wednesday evening at our Reunite and Remember dinner, one saying that seems to be synonymous each Rex Allen Days is 'The Best One Ever,'"
said Gary Truschke, president of Rex Allen Days, Inc.
"I will have to keep that tradition moving forward as 2008 Rex Allen Days was 'The Best One Ever."
The weather once again cooperated this year. While it could be windy at times on Saturday, it didn't seem to hamper any of the events or activities.
Temperatures were in the low 80s during the day and there was a fall chill in the air at night.
Saturday's parade theme was "Reunite and Remember."
Kelly and Terry Rowden announced the parade, and the parade marshal was Eddie Browning, state director of USDA Rural Development.
The parade judges this year were all Former Willcox Mayors -- Fred Bjornson, Sandra Ousley, and Marlin "Mick" Easthouse.
From about 92 entries, the parade winners were:
1st place, Gila County Rodeo Royalty
2nd place, Rex Allen Days Royalty Contestants
1st place, Marshall Bo Oakland Slingers
2nd place, Arizona Shadow Riders
1st place, Mardi Gras, Sacred Heart Catholic Church
2nd place, Encore Dance Academy
1st place, Apache Middle School
2nd place, Willcox High School
The Mayor's Award was given to Pathfinder Construction for its "Pete the Dragon" entry. The dragon bobbed up and down on the parade route, much to the delight of children in the audience.
Owner Mickey Kramme said he challenges other local businesses to "beat me next year."
Parade Chairman Chuck Broeder said trophies are available to pick up at Cheery Cows Antiques and Collectibles. Please call (520) 384-0878.
Always competitive, the Orlando B. Willcox Turtle Race had 19 entries.
In first place was Codie Rupert, second place was Hannah Murillo, and in third place, Damien Esqueda.
Shaye and Stephen Klump, who ran the show, thanked judges Julie and Greg Long and Wayne Brewster.
The concert featured special guest stars Johnny Western, Charlie Rich, Jr., Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, Jr.
It also featured the band, "Arizona" and the third generation of Allens who debuted in Willcox last year - singers Cody Allen and Logan Allen - the sons of Rex Jr.
The special celebrity guests of the Rex Allen Museum were cast members Ted Markland, Bob Hoy, and Don Collier, as part of the All-Star Roundup's Tribute to High Chapparal.
The "Marshall Bo Show" with Bo Downey and "Jeff's Star Talk," with Jeff Sutherland, were in Willcox to participate in and cover the event, as well.
Rex Allen Museum Manager Delcie Schultz offered her thanks to the community on behalf of the museum.
She quoted Bob Hoy, who told her after the concert, "You know, I love coming to Willcox. It's like coming home because everyone here makes you feel so welcome."
"The stars think this is most hospitable and wonderful town they can come to," she said.
"They think Willcox is a wonderful, wonderful place."
Schultz said that while the museum and historic downtown events were "well attended," thought it was "not quite up to last year," as people are cutting back on travel these days.
"We sold almost the same number of buttons as last year," she said.
Both concerts were also well-attended, but the better attendance was probably in the afternoon.
"It was probably about 80-percent full at the 4 o'clock, and about 75-percent full in the evening," Schultz said.
"When the performers look out in the audience and see all those people, it really fires them up."
Schultz said that "the boys" - Cody and Logan - plan to be back next year, as does Pedro. Rex Jr., who is 61, has told her he plans "to come back through his 66th year."
The Willcox Elementary School and Northern Cochise Nursing Home received visits Friday afternoon from Rex Jr. and members of his Arizona band, Rich, Gonzalez Gonzalez, Jr., 2008 Queen Maria Scriven of Hereford, and the rodeo queen contestants Kayla Shores of Willcox and Sarah Richardson of Cochise.
Truschke thanked all the sponsors of Rex Allen Days, who said the event could not have been a success without the support "from our many, many sponsors both within and from neighboring communities."
"These sponsors are many and are of both business and personal contributions," he said. "Some provided the needed cash dollar donations; others provided assistance in many different fashions from material, feed, and of their time. Each and every contribution is very much appreciated, needed and respected."
"I personally would like to thank each and every one of you for all your efforts," Truschke said. "As economic times continue to get tougher, one thing will always be bright in our future is the local community support for one another within our hometown."
Truschke also thanked his committee, Rex Allen Days Inc., who "worked very hard to represent its mission statement to provide a fun-filled weekend honoring our hometown cowboy legend Rex Allen Sr. and his legacy. This annual event takes a lot of dedicated people working throughout the year."
"I am very proud to have worked with such an enthusiastic hard working group of volunteers throughout the two years of my chairmanship. The bumps and bruises that appeared were healed just as fast. Each became visionaries, team leaders, and planners not only within their respective committees, rather within Rex Allen Days as a member."
"There are many changes this group is willing to tackle and I am appreciative to have been part to the listening of such wonderful leadership qualities demonstrated by all," said Truschke, who is the final year of his term as president.
Copyright © 2012 - Arizona Range News