Wild West WinterFest
May 19, 2005 Meeting
(as approved at the June 16, 2005 Meeting)
(Note: There was not an April WinterFest meeting due to lack of attendance)
1. ATTENDANCE: Skip Hougland, Sue Shockley, Debbie Holwegner, Gary Taylor, Lorna Simard, Brad Bell, Sonja Berg.
2. CALL TO ORDER: Skip called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
3. MINUTES: Sue moved to approve the March 17, 2005 minutes as presented. Sonja seconded. All in favor. Motion carried.
4. FINANCIAL: Sue reported there was little change. WinterFest made a profit of $12,712.63, plus we will be getting some revenue from a few food vendors.
5. MARKETING: Sue reported the attendance for WinterFest was not accurate. She has a call in to Brad Murphy at MSU and is going to discuss renting their turn styles from them.
6. AG IN THE CLASSROOM: Todd Kesner was not present to report. Sue stated she was not aware of any changes. Gary commented that kids from the public schools in Livingston would be interested in attending this. Sue will talk to Todd and encourage him to expand to Park County.
7. McLIEN’S FFA FARM BARN and MINI AG SEMINARS: Skip stated the mini Ag seminars need major changing. Not sure why mini seminars weren’t very well attended. If we continue with these seminars, we need to discuss new ideas on how to get people to attend. Lorna is going to call Dennis with Fort Dodge and get his input on increasing attendance at the seminars.
8. COWBOY INDIAN CAMP: Gary Taylor reported the Indian art worked well and plan on having stuff that is more Indian next year. Gary is going to bring in hides next year. They had good crowds and is going to continue with what they did last year as it turned out well. Gary suggested having Ag in the Classroom kids come to the camp. Sue suggested doing informative equine demos geared towards, why we use different kinds of bits, saddles, etc.
9. OFFICIAL BEVERAGE CONTEST: Deb reported there are plans to continue with this next year.
10. INDOOR/OUTDOOR EXHIBITORS: We had lots of empty space in midway. Gary said he would help recruit more outdoor exhibitors.
11. ENTERTAINMENT: Sue reported we have an opportunity to do bull riding. We can’t afford to pay the promoters to do a bull riding show, however maybe something can be worked out. Sue is going to explore the possibilities. Gary suggested having cowboy poetry, a packing scramble and possibly a concert in the indoor arena after the horse sale.
12. FOOD CONCESSIONS: We need more foods like popcorn and cotton candy. We definitely need food in the indoor arena Friday night. Vicki wants to do the same as last year, only have the steak dinner in the indoor arena right after the horse sale. Vicki will also serve breakfast everyday. The committee agreed to have Vicki do her food concession again.
13. KIDS ACTIVITIES: Deb reported the balloon-tying guy was a big hit. The kid’s activities need to be moved to another building because of the long line of kids and the congestion it created by the stage and exhibitor booths.
14. DOG KEG PULL CONTEST: Connie Garrett was not present to report, however, we anticipate that this event will continue to grow next year.
15. BOZEMAN LIONS – PEOPLE BARN: No representative from the Lion’s Club. No report given.
16. CHILI COOK-OFF: There is a good possibility this will expand to three divisions next year: restaurants, groups and individuals. Sue reported Coke might get involved with this event.
17. DOG EVENTS: Nancy Creel was not present to report. Comments for this event were as follows: the conformation show needs more time; need to move pet tricks and the conformation show out of building #2 due to the congestion it created around the exhibitors. It was suggested to possibly move pet tricks and the conformation show to the indoor arena Saturday morning.
18. ATV ICE RACING: We will not do ATV ice racing next year.
19. CHILDREN’S ART SHOW: Lorna stated we need to change the entry tags to include an entry number and the kid’s name. We will do this next year and continue with the People’s Choice Award.
20. QUILT SHOW: Karlene was not present to report. We will do this again next year.
21. PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW: Lorna reported we would do this again next year and continue with the People’s Choice Award.
22. HORSE SALE: Sue reported that Sara Vassen would not be having the horse sale. This event is a huge part of WinterFest and we are going to try to figure out a way to continue with this. Sue said we need to have a license for the horse sale. Sue thought Sara would help with the catalog if we paid her something.
23. AUTO ICE RACING: Blair was not present to report. They plan on doing this again next year.
24. RABBIT/POULTRY SHOWS: This had a great turn out and we would like to see this continue. Debbie is to contact Betsy Heckel and Brenda Townsend to verify they will be having the shows again.
25. HORSE PLAY DAY: Sonja will contact the Gallatin Saddle & Harness Club to see if they want to do this event again. Sonja commented she does not want to run two contestants at the same time and would like to use an electric timer.
26. TACK SWAP: We need to revamp and change the rules. Skip, Sue and Lorna will schedule a separate meeting to go over rules and discuss ideas on how to change this.
27. WORKING HORSE & DRIVER CONTEST: Sue stated we would do this again next year.
28. BAHA HOCKEY TOURNAMENT: Yes they will have another tournament. Expecting more teams next year.
29. KID’S FOOT & WHEEL CHAIR RODEO: We will do this again. Gary said he would take care of the giveaways for the kids.
30. OTHER BUSINESS: There are lots of events going on in the indoor arena, maybe too many. There was discussion of possibly expanding to another day. We need to review our schedule and consider this more closely.
Sue received a letter from Carter Benedict who had the following suggestions;
1. Host a cowboy poetry event at the cowboy camp on Friday or Saturday evening. Carter offered to host this event with anticipation that this would grow.
2. Continue with the non-denominational church service.
3. The stage setup in building #4 was great for small. He suggested having a western backdrop using straw bales with a couple of old saddles and chaps draped over them, a bridle hanging, etc. Maybe eliminate the tables using straw bales for seating and go for a more “camp” feeling for those eating there.
4. Have a contest or an evening called “1880’s Day” or something similar. It would be fun if exhibitors and employees dressed in western attire. Maybe on this day, make it where anyone wearing a cowboy hat at the gate, received a discount on their admission.
5. Contact some antique dealers and invite them to display old ranch antiques.
6. Have a contest or a shooting gallery specifically for western style six shooter or black power pistol.
7. Ask a local dairyman to bring a few gently milk cows and teach the kids (or adults) how to milk a cow.
8. Have a “sound like a cow” contest (calf balling, a cow mooing and bull bellerin’).
31. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
32. NEXT MEETING DATE: The committee decided to try an early morning breakfast meeting due to busy evening schedules. Our next meeting is Thursday, June 16. We will be meeting at Bill’s Grill in Belgrade at 7:00 a.m.
| 
