Wild West WinterFest
September 15, 2005
Morning Meeting at Bill’s Grill in Belgrade
(as approved at the October 13, 2006 meeting)
ATTENDANCE: Skip Hougland, Sue Shockley, Al Lien, Gary & Vikki Taylor, Karen & Carter Benedict, Harry Huntsinger, Todd Kesner, Janalyn Larsen, Sandra Fiegi, Connie Garrett, Todd Sanders, Travis Burian.
1. CALL TO ORDER: Connie called the meeting to order at 7:10AM.
2. MINUTES: Sue moved to approve the August 18, 2005 minutes as presented. Skip seconded. Motion carried.
3. FINANCIAL: Sue reported the budget has been approved and is the same as last year at $52,000.
4. MARKETING: Sue reported we need to going on this (radio, TV, print). We will be looking for as much free advertising as we can get.
5. AG IN THE CLASSROOM: It was suggested to have this on one-day only. Todd agreed to this and Ag in the Classroom will be on Friday from 10:00am to about 2:00pm and is for kids ages K through sixth grade. We will lose some kids, but will also gain some by changing this to just Friday. The indoor arena could be utilized if there is large number of kids coming. In early December, Todd will be sending out letters to all regional schools.
6. McLIEN’S FFA FARM BARN : The theme for this educational barn is “hay forage”. Skip reported he spoke with MSU folks and they’re willing to do a forage nutrient analysis on samples and give us the results. We would need to collect the samples three weeks to a month prior to WinterFest. This would allow time for the analysis and still allow the samples to be on display in the farm barn.
Janalyn reported their FFA memberships have increased over last year however, not all of these kids have animals. They will incorporate new classes other than livestock. FFA is going to set up a booth in the farm barn and have information available to let people know what FFA is and how it pertains to kids. Carter recommended trying to create a “desire” for the kids to want to understand and want to come and participate at the farm barn.
7. COWBOY INDIAN CAMP: Gary stated they would keep the same program as last year. They are looking for Native American dancers. Sue suggested moving the camp outside of the sale pavilion. That way, if it gets cold, they can move inside the sale pavilion.
8. HORSE DAY (MON.): The horse sub-committee met. Sue handed out a tentative schedule for Monday’s events. Looks like the tentative name is “Horse Hay Day”. Tentatively planned are clinicians, vet checks, seminars, demonstrations, music, tack sale, log skidding and possibly skijoring. Seminar/Demo ideas included; equine dentistry, equine chiropractors, MSU Equine Science Program, Horse Shoeing, team penning (Monday evening), Search & Rescue horses, Foaling, Common horse first aid, horse tales (old time horse lore), breeds and breeding, horseshow art projects (blacksmith). It was suggested to get a big screen TV and play horse videos all day long in the People Barn. FFA could help with setting up an area for children’s
equine activities like saddling, equipment identity game, bit bytes, reins, etc. Connie is going to follow up on skijoring with someone she knows. Janalyn will follow up with the Search & Rescue horses. It was stated that Murdoch’s would put inserts into their customer’s bags with info on WinterFest and Horse Hay Day.
9. OFFICIAL BEVERAGE CONTEST: Deb reported Cheryl Caton, the winner of last year’s contest, would gladly help us with this event.
10. INDOOR/OUTDOOR EXHIBITORS: Will be sending out vendor packages in October.
11. ENTERTAINMENT:
a. CONCERT: Gary reported it didn’t work out to have Michael Martin Murphy. Western Underground (Chris Ledeux’s band) will now be performing on Friday evening. This will be in the indoor arena and advance tickets will be sold. Harry and Travis will work with businesses to participate in an “added value” ticket. Thinking $20 for students with ID’s and $25 for general admission. Ticket price will include a WinterFest button. They are anticipating printing 3,000 tickets. The Taylor’s are planning on selling steak dinners in the indoor arena in conjunction with the concert.
b. COWBOY GATHERING: Carter proposed having a cowboy gathering as a Saturday evening show in the indoor arena. He is sure he can get participation in this. There could be an additional admission charge for this. Carter volunteered to MC. Would be nice to put together a nice program, and it’s possible the staff could help with this. He wants to get the kids involved with poetry and will work with Todd to include something on this in his Ag in the Classroom mailing. A sub-committee of Gary and Vicki Taylor, Carter, Sue and Todd will set up a meeting to further discuss this.
c. OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES; SCS, Snowmobile, skijoring, etc.: Need to follow up on these.
12. FOOD CONCESSIONS: We’ll be sending out food vendor applications in October.
13. LIVESTOCK SHOW: Nancy Chesterfield is trying to get some of the 4-H kids involved with doing this. Sue will follow up with Nancy.
14. KIDS ACTIVITIES: We need
15. DOG KEG PULL CONTEST: Connie said everything is under control and that she and Todd would run this again. Connie spoke about possibly doing a mile sprint course. They would like to see a food concession at their location.
16. BOZEMAN LIONS – PEOPLE BARN: No report.
17. CHILI COOK-OFF: Sue is going to check to see if KMMS is still going to do this.
18. DOG EVENTS: Nancy Creel is working on these.
19. CHILDREN’S ART SHOW: It’s a go. Still trying to find someone to oversee this.
20. QUILT SHOW: Karlene said she would do this again next year.
21. PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW: It’s a go.
22. HORSE SALE: Sue is meeting with the Three Forks Sale Yard to work out the details.
23. AUTO ICE RACING: Debbie will follow up on this to find out if the Mountaineers intend to do this.
24. RABBIT/POULTRY SHOWS: Good to go.
25. HORSE PLAY DAY: This event will be on Sunday. Al suggested writing a letter to Bill Sowa as soon as possible so he could present this to the Gallatin Saddle & Harness Club and let us know if they are willing to do this or not.
26. TACK SWAP: This will be moved to Monday and will need revamping.
27. WORKING HORSE & DRIVER CONTEST: This will be a Saturday morning show. Sue will follow up with a letter to the Montana Mule and Draft Horse Working Horse Association.
28. BAHA HOCKEY TOURNAMENT: Good to go.
29. KID’S FOOT & WHEEL CHAIR RODEO: Will do this event on Sunday. We could use some help organizing this.
30. OTHER BUSINESS: None
31. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 8:19AM.
32. NEXT MEETING DATE: Our next regular meeting is scheduled a week earlier for Thursday, October 13, 7AM at the Country Kitchen in Belgrade.
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