Gunfights to Dancing: Cowboy Festival, Symposium Begins Thursday

More than 5,000 visitors are expected to attend 's ninth-annual , scheduled events of which include concerts by Lynn Anderson, gunfight reenactments, children’s activities, living history encampments and Native American dancing.

Featured artist for this year’s event is Shonto Begay, who will present a lecture and a workshop. The four-day event will take place at Booth Western Art Museum and the , both in downtown Cartersville.                       

The Festival and Symposium begins Thursday with a unique school program, Passport to the West. Living history performances, craft demonstrations and more bring the west to life on this special day just for students. Educators interested in bringing students to the program are urged to call 770-387-3849 soon. 

Later that evening, visitors can meet featured artist Shonto Begay and enjoy refreshments in the Booth's Café. Begay will present a lecture on his artistic style and career highlights in the Booth Theatre beginning at 7 p.m.

Recognizing his love for art at a very early age, Begay became a professional artist in 1983. He was born to traditional Navajo parents, and he uses his personal history and culture to create his work. As he says, “My message is simple. Build bridges through the arts and stories of your culture, validate and share these visions and voices. Celebrate your personal identity through the arts.” Following Begay’s lecture, he will sign copies of the official Festival and Symposium poster in the Museum store. Thursday evening events are free for Booth Museum members and included with regular admission for not-yet members.

On Friday, the symposium portion of the event takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Booth Theatre. This year’s focus will be on Native American history, culture and art. Admission to the lectures is free for Booth Museum members and included with regular admission for not-yet-members. Also Friday, the Booth Art Academy will host a workshop for artists by featured artist Shonto Begay. For registration information and costs, please call 770-387-3849.

The Cowboy Festival and Western Marketplace open on Saturday on the museum grounds and feature a variety of activities for the entire family. Entertainment includes re-enactments of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Western music and poetry throughout the day on two stages, fast draw competitions, humorous Western skits, demonstrations of traditional Indian dances, chuck wagon cooking, children’s activities, and a living history encampment with demonstrations of pioneer skills from bygone days.

Food vendors at the event will offer homemade root beer, barbecue, hot dogs and other favorite festival food items. Activities will take place between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Admission to the festival grounds, including Booth Museum galleries, is $10 for not-yet members, $8 for seniors, $7 for students, $3 for children and free for active military and Booth members.

Two Saturday concerts at the Grand Theatre feature Lynn Anderson, who Billboard currently ranks among the Top-10 most successful female country artists for all-time record sales. In a career that spans four decades, she has charted 11 No. 1, 18 Top-10, and over 50 Top-40 recordings.

The country music legend has earned 17 Gold albums and won virtually every award available to a female recording artist: CMA Female Vocalist, ACM Female Vocalist, American Music Award and the prestigious Grammy Award. Her signature tune, (I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden, remained the biggest selling recording by a female country artist for more than 27 years.

Tickets for the 2 p.m. matinee are $25 for not-yet members, $20 for Booth Museum members and $5 for children 16 and younger. Tickets for the 7 p.m. evening performance are $25 for not-yet members and $20 for Booth Museum members. Lynn Anderson will be available to sign CDs and meet fans in the Encore Room adjacent to the theater following each show.

The weekend wraps up Sunday, beginning with Cowboy Church at 11 a.m. This non-denominational church service features cowboy prayers and western spiritual music and is free for everyone. After the service, visit the Cowboy Festival and Western Marketplace between noon and 5 p.m. on the grounds of the museum, with the same activities as listed for Saturday taking place.             

More details on the schedule of events may be obtained by consulting the Museum Web site at www.boothmuseum.org or calling 770-387-1300.