Sheridan Arts Foundation: 23rd Annual Wild West Fest

02 Jun Sheridan Arts Foundation: 23rd Annual Wild West Fest

The Sheridan Arts Foundation kicks off its 2014 summer season with the 23nd annual Wild West Fest, June 2-7.

Monday, June 2, 32 challenged youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America will come to Telluride from Denver, Farmington N.M., Nucla, Colo., and Santa Fe for a week of empowering activities celebrating Western arts, culture and customs.

Tuesday through Friday young people ages 12-18 will partake in the Chip Allen Mentorship Program (CAMP), the most integral component of the Wild West Fest. The youth will be grouped with professionals in the fields of drama, dance, fly fishing, outdoor adventure and music and work with them through the week to learn more about their chosen field.

This year the Sheridan Arts Foundation welcomes a new mentorship director, Ashley Deppen, who has worked with WWF previously as an acting mentor.

“Not only am I thrilled to be part of the Wild West Fest, I couldn’t be more excited about helping facilitate the mentorship program this year!,” Deppen said.

Deppen continues:

“I wholeheartedly believe the mentorship programs offered to the kids throughout the course of the week provide these amazing kids with a life-changing experience. Each and every one of them has so many talents and so much to offer. The experience is just as rewarding for the mentors and the SOH staff as it is for the kids!”

The CAMP program prioritizes each child’s personal and individual needs to ensure a positive learning experience so that all youth return home with a greater sense of self-confidence, personal awareness and a firm grasp on some new skills.

The CAMP groups studying music, drama and dance will display what they have learned at a Mentorship Showcase on June 5. The event is called the School’s Out Wild West Fest Dance Party and will feature performances by the Rock and Roll Academy and performance mentorship groups, followed by special appearances from local high school musicians and an after-hours Dance Party.

The event is free and open to the public and the first 100 to enter the door will receive raffle tickets to win SWEET prizes.

The Sheridan Arts Foundation, the 501(c)(3) non-profit that owns and runs the historic Sheridan Opera House, prides itself in covering all expenses for the Boys & Girls Clubs (except for travel) and the organization pulls it off thanks to the generous support of child sponsors. A generous contribution of $1,000 allows one child to participate in the Wild West Fest in its entirety.

Those interested in pledging their support for the Wild West Fest can contact Ronnie Palamar at 728-6363 or  email Ronnie@sheridanoperahouse.com.

 Schedule of Events: 

Monday, June 2

Youth arrive from  Denver, CO,  Farmington, NM, Pueblo of Pojoaque, NM & Nucla, CO

Tuesday, June 3

9 A.M. Elks Park Orientation

10 A.M. – 3 P.M. WWF CAMP

Η  5 P.M. – 7 P.M. Wild West Fest Kick-Off Celebration and BBQ in Town Park.  Hey kids, join us under the white tent for food, games and prizes!  Open to public, $6 donation for BBQ.

Wednesday, June 4

9 A.M. – 3 P.M. WWF CAMP

Η 6 – 8 P.M. Schmid Ranch Western Pig Roast for participants, supporters and sponsors, (Catered by Oak) featuring live cowboy music from  singer, guitarist, music educator and author Jobuk Johnson

Thursday, June 5

9 A.M. – 3 P.M.  WWF CAMP

5 P.M. Dinner at Rustico Ristorante

Η 7:30 P.M. Wild West Fest School’s Out Party with Mentorship Showcase and Rock and Roll Academy performances

Friday, June 6

9 A.M. – 3 P.M. Circle K Ranch Roundup for WWF Youth; featuring hikes, games, zip line and horseback rides.

5 P.M. Dinner at Brown Dog Pizza

Η  7:30 P.M Swingin’ at the Sheridan, Telluride Historical Museum’s WWII D-Day celebration

Saturday, June 7

9:30– 11:30 A.M. Art Workshop Sheridan Opera House Gallery Room

12:30 P.M. All groups head to Ouray to swim at the Ouray Hot Springs

6 P.M. Event closing dinner and goodbyes, catered by La Cocina de Luz

8 P.M. Kids attend Telluride Balloon Fest balloon glow on main street

“H” denotes events open to the public

The Sheridan Arts Foundation was founded in 1991 as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization to preserve the historic Sheridan Opera House as an arts and cultural resource for the Telluride community, to bring quality arts and cultural events to Telluride and to provide local and national youth with access and exposure to the arts through education. The SAF is sponsored in part by grants from the Telluride Foundation, CCAASE and CCI.