24th Annual Wild West Fest, Overview

27 May 24th Annual Wild West Fest, Overview

The Sheridan Arts Foundation kicks off its 2015 summer season with the 24th annual Wild West Fest, which runs June 1-7.

Monday, June 1, 36 under-served youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America will come to Telluride from Atlanta, GA; Des Moines, IA; Denver, CO; Farmington NM; Nucla/Naturita CO; and Santa Fe for a week of empowering activities that celebrate Western arts, culture, and customs.

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

“This program, in its simplest form, is an entire week based on raising kids’ self-esteem through fun activities, many of them unique to the culture of Telluride and the ‘Wild West.’ What could be better?” said Wild West Fest CAMP Director Maggie Stevens.

“Getting to watch these kids realize their own potential and be reminded that they are a valued part of society is an incredibly rewarding experience for everyone involved in Wild West Fest, myself included.”

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.

This year’s mentors are Ashley Deppen (performance), Camilla Brendon & Michelle Montague (visual arts), Joel Kirkoff, Chris Loccisano and Paul Horrigan (fly fishing), Megan Heller (outdoor mentorship) and Brett Neuman/Rock and Roll Academy (music).

The CAMP groups studying music and performance will display what they have learned at our WWF Showcase & Shindig on Thursday, June 4, Elks Park. Join us for the performances and a dance and presentation from Yellow Bird Indian Dancers. The event is free and open to the public and free ice cream will be served.

Following the showcase is a free screening of the movie “Wild Wild West” starring Salma Hayak and Will Smith at the Sheridan Opera House. Kids of all ages are welcome.

On Friday, June 5, the WWF hosts Durango based indie-soul band Hello, Dollface to play the annual Wild West Fest concert. Show time is 8 p.m. (doors at 7:30 p.m.) and the concert is free and open to the public. ($5 suggested donation.)

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 970-728-6363 email Ronnie@sheridanoperahouse.com.

MONDAY, JUNE 1

Youth arrive from  Atlanta, GA;  Des Moines, IA; Denver, CO;  Farmington, NM; Pueblo of Pojoaque, NM; & Nucla/Naturita, CO

TUESDAY, JUNE 2

9 A.M. Elks Park Orientation

10 A.M. – 3 P.M. WWF CAMP

• 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 3

9 A.M. – 3 P.M. WWF CAMP

6 – 8 P.M. Schmid Ranch Western Pig Roast for participants, supporters and sponsors (Catered by Oak)

THURSDAY, JUNE 4

9 A.M. – 3 P.M.  WWF CAMP

• 4 – 6 P.M.  WWF Showcase & Shindig. Join us in Elks Park for the Performance & Music Mentorship Showcase, a dance from Yellow Bird Indian Dancers & kids activities – free

• 5-8 P.M.  Lauren Metzger Artist Reception and Exhibit. Join us in the Sheridan Opera House Gallery Room for an exhibit of festival artist Lauren Metzger’s work and our festival image and a chance to bid on this year’s beautiful festival artwork.

6 P.M. Dinner at Rustico Ristorante

• 7:30 P.M. Free screening of “Wild Wild West” at the Sheridan Opera House – join us for this fun film starring Will Smith & Salma Hayek with a special presentation from one of the film’s screenwriter Jeff Price. We will also be auctioning off a one of a kind Wild Wild West jacket from the set of the film

For a preview of the film, watch this trailer:

FRIDAY, JUNE 5

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

5 P.M. Dinner at Brown Dog Pizza

• 8 P.M.  Hello, Dollface concert, free

SATURDAY, JUNE 6

10 A.M.– 12 P.M. Art Workshop at the Sheridan Opera House Gallery Room

1-4 P.M. All groups head to the Peaks for a pool day

5:30 P.M. Event closing dinner and goodbyes, dinner at Esperanza’s

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

SUNDAY, JUNE 6

6 A.M. Select WWF participants are invited to take a ride in a hot air balloon thanks to the Telluride Balloon Fest

Kids head home

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.