Thank You…….
Westfest was a tremendous success. Thank you to our corporate sponsors, those that donated their time and talents, our contestants, our dancers the Ozark Rhythm Cloggers from Mt.View, the Barren Holler Boys for their music, Thousand Hills Cowboy Church for the free lunch, Trish and her support staff for the fantastic Stick Horse Rodeo, and all the other folks and groups that helped make this a great day.
Please remember the special Thank You that goes to everyone associated with Pine Grove Trails for their willingness to host this event each year. Talitha, for her tireless energy in fundraising, coordinating, marketing, and organizing this event. We can not say thank you enough toFreddy and Lanae. Not only do they let us use their place, but they spend hours and hours working getting the site ready and providing us with everything we need. Without their commitment and donation WestFest could not exist!
We will be announcing in the next few months some exciting news about next years events and how the money raised will go towards helping local kids in need. And it is not to early to mark your calendar for September 29, 2012 for the Second annual WestFest.
The board of Western Horse Heritage Foundation
WestFest is a big new event coming to North Arkansas this fall. It will be a day long happening of fun and exciting activities celebrating western heritage and providing an opportunity to help our neighbors. Built around The Great Ozark Trail Dog & Horse Race, which has been held for the past 5 years, WestFest will feature all new events for all ages. It will be for real cowboys and cowgirls, those that like to play like they are real, and those folks that just want to watch. A simple way to describe the day would be to call it a “Western Circus”. There will be a “main attraction event” scheduled for each hour from 10 AM until (?), while at the same time there will be large variety of “sideshow events” happening all around the grounds. A detail schedule and list of events can be found on the schedule page. Check back to this site often as updates and new information will be posted on a weekly basis.
The Cause
WestFest is not just about having fun it is about folks working together to help each other. In addition to the “main attraction event” local area charitable, civic, and community organizations will be conducting fund-raising events. Some will be raising funds through activities like a horse shoe throwing contest, the “sideshow events”, others may be just selling items in a more traditional charitable bazaar type activity. The idea is to bring groups together with their specific followers for the purpose of raising money for their individual needs. This large group combined with others that will be present because of the entertainment provided will create a real opportunity for increased fund-raising success. Not only will more people mean more chances for giving, it will also increase the chances for getting more business and corporate participation.
The Location and Date
WestFest will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011 starting at 8:00 AM, at Pine Grove Trails just south of Leslie, Arkansas on Trace Ridge Road. They are a full service camp ground, and one of the top horseback trail riding destinations in Mid-America. You can learn more about Pine Grove Trail Rides at their web site.
Check out the Westfest Website for more information !
Schedule of Main Events – Saturday, September 24, 2011
8-10 am
Cowboy Chuck-Wagon Breakfast – Proceeds for the V.F. W. Building in Marshall
10-Noon
“World Stick Horse Rodeo Association” National Finals Rodeo. Open to all Kids
Noon – 1 pm
Clog Dancing – Main Stage
Winners announced for the First Annual Frontier Heritage Art Contest
Free Cowboy Chuck-wagon supper. Sponsored by the Thousand Hills Cowboy Church
1 – 2 pm
The Great Ozark Trail Dog and Horse Race
2 – 3 pm
Pasture Roping
3 – 4 pm
Horse Race, Quarter Mile Straight Track
4-5 pm
The “Barn Hollow Boys – Music and Entertainment
Sponsored by the Western Horse Heritage Foundation
