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Blood Creek Cowboys will stir it up at
Stagecoach Days
By Gail Paparian
For the Record Gazette
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| Blood
Creek Cowboys |
Stagecoach Days 2006 welcomes a new group this
year to Banning's signature event. They are Blood Creek Cowboys. The
15-member troupe was established in 1997 by Carl “Star” Bennett. The
group works as an old west stunt and re-enactment team.
They will appear in full western costume and be present during the
Stagecoach Days events (Sept. 28- Oct 1) at Dysart Park. Ken Sandefur,
active Banning chamber member and chairmanr of the Stagecoach Days
Parade, can be credited for finding the group.
They were in the parade last year and Sandefur was determined to have
them this year.
“It's a good crowd pleaser,” said group leader Bennett. “Crowds react
favorably to us and we are inspired by their reactions.”
Not only will the Blood Creek Cowboys be doing re-enactments, they will
be performing gunslinger skits and shoot-outs.
“These skits require a great deal of acting and athletic ability,”
Bennett said. “Whatever we do, it's always safety first.”
Blood Creek Cowboys
have been performing for over 10 years and much of their success can be
attributed to the fact that all in the group are passionate about the
old west and they take pride in what they produce.
The group is active throughout the year and has performed at Calico Days
in Tombstone, AZ. They regularly participate in parades throughout
Southern California.
Parts of A.C. Dysart Park will be transformed into an old west village.
There will be a kind of “old west tent city.”
As visitors enter the park for events, they will enter through what
looks like a guard shack. The Blood Creek Cowboys will also be
responsible for taking tickets from visitors.
They're planning to establish a much more visible western theme for the
annual Stagecoach Days and hope visitors to the events will get into the
spirit of things by dressing western. You can learn more about the group
by visiting their website: www.bloodcreek.com.
Some of the contests they will be involved with will be judged by the
groupís peers. They will be marching in the parade on Saturday, Sept. 30
and will be involved in events from Tuesday Sept. 26th through the close
of the festival on Sunday, Oct. 1.
The Stagecoach Days event is back at A.C. Dysart Park allowing for a
true “western-type Renaissance event.”
The popular rodeo events are back and so is an expanded version of
“mutton busting” ñ a favorite with local youngsters under the age of
ten. Fine art is coming to Stagecoach Days with many artists bringing
their western-themed art for exhibition and sale.
Sheila Bryan, creator of the event's signature art piece, “White Hat”
will also make appearances and a limited number of signed and numbered
prints will be available for purchase.
This year promises to have something for everybody, according to
Stagecoach Days Chairman Jim Smith, who is also president of the Banning
Chamber of Commerce.
Follow upcoming editions of the Record Gazette for information about
events and feature stories. Information can also be found by going to
the following websites: www.banningchamber.org, banningchamber.org and
www.stagecoachdays.com.
Back to in the community
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August
18, 2006