Wild West WinterFest
October 13, 2005 Minutes
(as approved at the November 17, 2005 meeting)
ATTENDANCE: Skip Hougland, Sue Shockley, Debbie Holwegner, Nancy Creel, Nancy Tanner, Gary & Vikki Taylor, Karen & Carter Benedict, Todd Kesner, Connie Garrett, Todd Sanders, Lorna Simard and Sonja Berg.
1. CALL TO ORDER: Skip called the meeting to order at 7:15 a.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Connie moved to approve the September 15, 2005 minutes as presented. Sue seconded. Motion carried.
3. FINANCIAL: Nothing new to report.
4. MARKETING: Gary reported Murdoch’s would be inserting a concert and WinterFest informational flyer into customer checkout bags. Radio and print ads will be done. Sue reported a “teaser” poster will be distributed and will try to start a Fairgrounds newsletter soon. Harry and Travis are working on sponsorships.
5. DOG KEG PULL CONTEST: Connie reported that Bridger Feeds will be their major sponsor again and are looking forward to having new sponsors join this event. Connie again suggested having food available at this event and something other than corn dogs. There will be a $5 entry fee and entrants will receive two beer tokens with entry.
6. PET TRICKS and CONFORMATION: Nancy Tanner reported there were a few problems with the racecar track in building #2 last year during the pet tricks and conformation. They are willing to change to a different day and move to another location, however they are requesting at least as much room as they had in building #2 and that it is heated. The sale pavilion is too small. Vicki Whitney who is organizing the conformation, would like enough room to have a “real conformation”. Sue will review the schedule and see what will work the best for them.
7. AG IN THE CLASSROOM: Todd reported he is going to ask Darigold to participate and speak to the kids about the process of getting milk into a bottle and how wheat/grain is made into bread. Todd also would like someone there to explain the different cuts of meats. Carter stated representatives from Belgrade Equipment could be there to explain to the kids about costs ranchers incur for their equipment and products. Letters will go out to all regional schools in December.
8. McLIEN’S FFA FARM BARN : Skip reported MSU is going to offer a forage nutrient analysis. A printout of the results will be displayed with the sample and will enable people to see what kind of nutrition is in the feed that is fed to animals. Sue suggested having a hay show like we did for SeptoberFest. This could be displayed in the Farm Barn. Lorna said she was willing to help with this and the office staff can help with getting the information out.
9. COWBOY GATHERING: Carter reported the sub-committee met to finalize things. The show will be in the indoor area after the horse sale and Carter is going to MC. There will not be an additional charge for this. Carter put together the letter and application to the poets and will pass this information onto the office staff for mailing. He also read his poem that will be sent out to the schools inviting young poets to this event. This will be good quality entertainment. Todd will include this poem and application in his Ag in the Classroom mailing to schools. He wants to get the kids involved with poetry. This is not a competition and the kids should be encouraged to participate. The office staff has the mailing list done and has put
together the format for the program.
10. WESTERN UNDERGROUND CONCERT: Gary reported the concert will begin Friday evening at 8:00 pm and he is working on finalizing everything. They are expecting a lot of MSU students to attend and this will help with the WinterFest attendance. The MSU Rodeo Club will be selling tickets on campus. Other ticket outlets include the Fairground Office, Murdoch’s and Tire-Rama. General admission concert tickets are $25 and students (with student ID) are $20. Tickets will include a WinterFest button.
11. COWBOY INDIAN CAMP: Gary stated they would keep the program very similar to last year. The camp will be in the midway outside of the sale pavilion. Some cowboy poets will be highlighted at the camp.
12. HORSE PLAY DAY: Sonja has not spoke with the Gallatin Saddle and Harness Club. Sue wrote a letter to Bill Sowa requesting their assistance with the play day. Al Lien took this letter to the GSHC meeting. Sue is still waiting to hear if the club is doing the play day or not. The play day is on Sunday.
13. OFFICIAL BEVERAGE CONTEST: Deb reported we would be doing this again.
14. INDOOR/OUTDOOR EXHIBITORS: Deb reported the mailing for the commercial exhibitors and food vendors will go out shortly.
15. HORSE HAY DAY: Sue reported still organizing this. Dr. Catlin and his staff will offer vaccinations at cost. There will also be a visual exam. Possibly, horse trainers Dave Gamble and JD Anderson.
16. OUTDOOR EVENTS:
Ski Joring: Connie reported she received a definite “maybe” on the ski joring demonstration and probably won’t know more until January.
SCS: Sue reported she spoke with SCS and she too received a definite “maybe” for this event. SCS is trying to work us into their schedule and should have an answer in a few weeks.
17. FOOD CONCESSIONS: Debbie stated these applications would go out the end of October.
18. LIVESTOCK SHOW: Sue reported she is waiting for hear back from 4-H. We are also having a sanctioned ARBA rabbit show that Rosemary Perry is going to organize.
19. KIDS ACTIVITIES: We need ideas and volunteers for this. Gary suggested having a riding demo and then let the kids ride the horses. A sub-committee of Karlene, Sue, Debbie and Vicki will organize the kid’s events.
20. BOZEMAN LIONS CLUB: No one was present to report.
21. DOG ACTIVITIES/ALL STAR EXPO: Nancy reported the Galloping Dog Agility Club (GDAC) would have their activities in livestock barn #1 on Saturday. Sue will look at the schedule to see what the best time is for the All Star Dog Expo. Nancy will give us a schedule of dog activities.
22. CHILI COOK-OFF: Sue is going to check to see if KMMS is still going to do this.
23. CHILDREN’S ART SHOW: It’s a go. Still trying to find someone to take this over.
24. QUILT SHOW: Good to go.
25. PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW: Lorna reported she is going to organize this event. This will be open to all ages and will have a people choice award.
26. HORSE SALE: Sue is waiting to hear back from Headwaters Livestock.
27. AUTO ICE RACING: Debbie reported she contacted Marc Shepherd with the Mountaineers and they are planning on doing this again on Saturday at Noon.
28. RABBIT/POULTRY SHOWS: Good to go.
29. TACK SWAP: Skip reported this is a go. Still need to work out some details. Consignment charges will change and be readjusted. Will advertise the tack swap during the horse sale.
30. WORKING HORSE & DRIVER CONTEST: This is good to go.
31. KID’S FOOT & WHEEL CHAIR RODEO: Sue suggested moving this to Monday and have it in livestock barn #1. Will contact Reach to see if some of their crew can help with this. Carter is going to follow up with Eagle Mount and see if they can assist us.
32. BAHA HOCKEY TOURNAMENT: Good to go. Still working on button situation.
33. OTHER BUSINESS: Connie suggested having a dog sled race. She would need 1 mile for the course, but this would be totally dependant on having snow. Something to think about.
34. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 a.m.
35. NEXT MEETING DATE: Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 17, 7:00 a.m. at the Country Kitchen in Belgrade.
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