Entertainment

Backstage at Stagecoach Days

By Gail Paparian
For the Record Gazette

CHECKING THINGS OUT - Rick Blackford and Jim Smith inspect the new City of Banning Bleachers in Dysart Park. “All we need is 998 more people on Friday, Sept. 29, Saturday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 1 and we will have sold out the rodeo,” Smith said.

It's tough to keep up with Jim Smith on a normal day. It's almost impossible to catch him standing still during the month of September as he and a hearty group of volunteers scurry hither and yon to prepare for Stagecoach Days. This year's official events run from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1.

There are all kinds of happenings preceding the kickoff including the Banning Unified School District Street Dance being held on Tuesday, Sept. 26 and Rotary Spaghetti Dinner/Grandma and Grandpa Contest held on Wednesday, Sept. 27.

Smith, as president of the Banning Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of Stagecoach Days has held the reins of this event (through a contract between the city and the chamber) for the past three years.

A number of articles have appeared in the Record Gazette, signs are up all over town, tickets are for sale and things are proceeding at a whirlwind pace with all that needs to be done between now and Sept. 28.

Questions about the event should be directed to the Banning Chamber of Commerce (849-4695) or visit the Chamber's website at: www.banningchamber.org.

When I finally caught up with Jim Smith he stayed still long enough for me to ask him some questions.

Gail Paparian: This is your third year heading up Stagecoach Coach Days. Is the third year the charm?

Jim Smith: I sincerely hope that the community embraces all we've done to get ready for Stagecoach Days. There are volumes of work to do and none of us mind doing it, as long as we have an audience of people attending the events. We now have bleachers that were purchased specially for the park and this, as well as other events. We don't have to worry about the cost of renting them each year, which was always a big hole in our budget.

How will it go? Well, I hope. I'm going to answer you like the football coach does before the big game: ask me when the game is over!

GP: What's new this year?

JS: There are quite a few things we've added to the official events and I'll get to that in a bit. Local service clubs always participate. If you get up early, go to the Banning Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 7 to 11 a.m. It's lots of fun and a $3.50 donation includes a Domino's pizza coupon. There's a fun filled day scheduled at Gilman Ranch on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Whiskerino contest, sponsored by the Banning Kiwanis Club will be judged at 1 p.m., presentation of the rodeo queens and music performed live. There are lots of family events including hay rides, games, gold panning, antique exhibits, horse shoe pitching and lots more. Here are two phone numbers to get more information - 922.9200 and 955.4300.

The Banning Rotary Club is hosting the Spaghetti Dinner at 4 pm on Wednesday, Sept. 27. It also includes the Grandfather and Grandmother of the Year award and a presentation of the Rodeo Queens.

GP: Okay, What else is new this year?

JS: We've included new elements this year to attract people who like a variety and choices as to what they do at an event such as Stagecoach Days. We've been publicizing our Stagecoach Days artist Sheila Bryan who created a wonderful painting named “White Hat.” She's producing signed, limited edition giclee. It's available for sale at some of the pre-events as well as during the official run That's new and the way the Beverage Garden is being run should be great. Elegant Affair Catering of Banning will be preparing all the food and I promise it's great barbecue. Their staff is going to dress western and serve patrons as they see art exhibits and enjoy live entertainment.

GP: Is there enough stuff for families to do?

JS: We've purposely devoted Thursday to family night. The carnival will open (pre-sale tickets are available all over town), and we'll have the first five go-rounds of muttin' bustin'. Here's a chance for parents, grandparents, neighbors and friends to get behind their favorite youngster who weighs under 65 pounds. They get to hang on to a sheep for as long as they can. The expressions on their faces are priceless and guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings of the judges. For Thursday night, we've got Banning Councilman Art Welch, Banning Economic Development Chairman Bob Botts and Beaumont Mayor Jeff Fox doing the judging. The rest of the rounds will be judged by the rodeo professionals.

GP: You mentioned rodeo. It's back this year. What are your thoughts?

JS: We took a lot of heat last year when we didn't have the rodeo. First of all, we didn't have the bleachers last year. This year the city has purchased the bleachers for the park and that takes a huge burden off of us. Now we've got to fill the stands

Putting on a rodeo is a pretty complex and expensive venture. Before the first cowboy or cowgirl comes out of the chute, we've got to pay to bring the event in. It costs us $20,800 to bring the rodeo in, $2,500 for the feed, which is part of the contract, $8,000 in added money to draw the cowboys to the events; and that's what we pay, rain or shine. Then there's a $1,000 PRCA fee, (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) $1,500 for PRCA judges, $1,500 for ambulance, money (per PRCA requirements) to have a vet on site and about $5,000 to advertise the event. Now that money goes out; rain or shine. That's nearly half of the budget for this event, so you can understand that it's kind of scary.

Even if we fill the stands three days straight, which we would certainly love, we cannot make up what it costs to put on the rodeo. Now that's the reality we have to look at when we face the rodeo. It would be great to look up into the stands and see a full house. At least we would know that the community supports Stagecoach Days and Rodeo.

GP: You're always very upfront about the importance of the Rodeo Queen's Contest. What impact does it have on the event?

JS: Huge! The revenue from what the Rodeo Queen's contest brings in helps sustain the whole event. Not only do these young women have to compete in equestrian judging, they have to be interviewed in a variety of outfits that cost a lot of money. They come from communities within the Pass Area and far beyond. They are asked to sell raffle tickets and bring their family, friends and local dignitaries to the events. The event just couldn't happen without the hard work of these young women and the person who is always there for them: Linda Escandel. Linda runs the queen's contest, training and everything that goes with it. I cannot imagine the event without her.

GP: Stagecoach Days hasn't made money recently. Do you see this year as different?

JS: This event was not designed to make a huge profit. We put a large amount of money out upfront for contracts and advertising.

We're doing the best we can and it's pretty scary and risky venture. We want to present an event the community wants. As I said before, talk to me when the event is over.

GP: You mentioned that the Elegant Affair would be doing the catering for the Beverage Garden. Are there other kinds of food available?

JS: Yes. There will be all kinds of food to satisfy most tastes throughout the carnival area including Chinese, Mexican and American.

GP: What are your goals for this year?

JS: To produce a quality event. We've got all the key ingredients to be successful.

Rodeo and the Coronation of the Rodeo Queen, muttin' bustin', Carnival, the parade and the dedication of the new mural and talented members of the Pass Area exhibiting their art. We've factored in as many safeguards and components as we could think ofŠ now we need the buy in from the community. It would be great if we could get people to dress in western mode during the event and around town. It doesn't take much; just a little extra effort.

GP: How many folks participate in getting the event launched?

JS: Hundreds of people giving hundreds of hours. I know I'll forget somebody but off the top of my head applause to: Jack Holden and the entire chamber staff and volunteers, Rick Blackford, Jimmy, Jeff & Debbie Doolittle, Steve Heiss, Linda & Bill Escandel,

Ken Sandefur, Dorothy Carberry, Pat Langston, Red & Linda Deaton and a ton more.

GP: And the future?

JS: The future is now. The Chamber's three year contract with the city ends this year. How the community buys into the event in the form of participation and attendance will determine the future of the event. Right now, I'd like to see the bleachers filled, the midway flush with people having fun and large groups of folks viewing and buying art from local artists. That would go a long way to make us all happy.