Strong finish for Trails West!
No official numbers yet, but vendors report solid sales
No official numbers yet, but vendors report solid sales
Photo by Eric Keith / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo
Artist Michael Harrison impersonates famed impressionist Vincent van Gogh on a van panel Sunday at Trails West! Several local artists copied the painter’s masterpieces to create the art car.
Scott Downing knows the routine.
By the time the sun went down and the speakers flared up, Civic Center Park would fill up for one of Trails West!’s nightly concerts. The beer garden would be packed and food lines would block the street. The Downings, however, headed for the gate before Night Ranger played its first note Sunday evening. Nothing against the band, some families just like to have their fun a little earlier in the day.
“It’s hot, but you don’t have to deal with the crowds,” Mr. Downing said. “We pretty much have the run of the place until 4 or 5.”
Throughout the afternoon, the Downings and other families gathered to watch the South Buck Creek Gang re-enact scenes from the Old West, ranging from a Jayhawker raid to a woman performing tricks with a bullwhip.
“If you just come for the concert, then you miss all of this stuff,” Mr. Downing said.
Jason Jackson, a third-grader from Kansas City, went to the festival with his cousins. Jason made an art project, then lost it on the way to the funnel cake stand. Judging by his hands, the project had something to do with finger paint.
“It blew away. They let you make more though, for free,” Jason said.
Weekend attendance totals were not yet available as of Sunday afternoon. If the vendors were a gauge, Trails West! earned its exclamation mark this weekend.
An afternoon scene in the southeast corner of the park showed just how many people enjoyed the festival. The entire line at one concession stand let out a collective gasp when a worker stepped outside, climbed a ladder and slid “BLOOMING ONION — $6” off the menu. And that was at 4 p.m. — two full hours before the big crowd arrived to see Night Ranger. You can’t make blooming onions without onions.
“We have enough for everyone in line, we just don’t want anyone to get mad,” the worker said. “You guys have been good to us this year.”
Clinton Thomas can be reached at clintonthomas@npgco.com.
This story has 12 comments. Click here to join in on the discussion.
Story Tools
Hyperlink Legend
E-mail story
Print friendly version
iPod friendly version
Today's Top Headlines
Smurfit workers go on strike
Cotter takes his wings to state post
Raises, insurance in doubt for county employees
Senator wants to dampen river parties
U.S. Bank robbed on Belt
- More Headlines
- Recently Discussed
Trails West was excellent! New vendors showed up and the event was handled extremely professional. Things like this are what will get St. Joseph on the public radar map (more visitors means more revenue, etc). The fee with the sale of the buttons has dramatically improved operational management of the event. The perimeter areas outside the fence line were well policed and the event volunteers were absolutely The Civic Center Park is a great area to hold events. More, more events!!!!!!
Posted by comment on August 18, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)Jason Reily is a master guitarist and I always enjoy his talent but his rendition of the National Anthem was not appropriate in the least bit.
Posted by momoffour on August 18, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)I felt that Jason Reileys rendition of the National Anthem was not only inappropriate, but totally disrespectful.
Posted by Mizzou on August 18, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)What was wrong with it? I was not there.
Posted by comment on August 18, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)Have you ever heard the Jimi Hendrix version from the Woodstock era. Just not right.
Posted by njones60 on August 18, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)Did you have a problem with his particular rendition, or just the fact that the committee decided to use an instrumental version. I heard it and thought it was no less tasteful and probably shorter than many vocal versions that draw out all of the words.
Posted by comment on August 19, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)It had nothing to do with the committees decision to go instrumental although the song does have words to it and that's the way it should be done. I nor anyone else could not even begin to put words to that instrumental if that's what one would call it! Shorter! What are you saying? You don't like the National Anthem?
Posted by njones60 on August 19, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)Of course I like the National Anthem. My point was that the National Anthem seems to be one of those songs (much like Amazing Grace) that vocalists seem to feel the need to "make their own" by drawing out the lyrics to show off their vocal chops. It's the same thing that Jason did, he just did it with a guitar. I agree that it should have been sung, but the Trails West committee wanted a guitarist to play it. That wouldn't have been my choice, but I didn't volunteer to be on the committee, so I won't complain about it. :) Also, it would have certainly helped if the sound equipment were working properly. His PA cut out several times and the sound guys appeared to be jacking with it the entire time he was playing.
Posted by comment on August 19, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)Once again, Jason is an exceptional guitarist. I didn't realize he was under the committees gun to perform the National Anthem as he did. No matter who or what its blamed on still don't make it right. Shame on the committee and the sound guys also. It was a nice festival other than that one blemish!
Posted by gladimgone on August 19, 2008 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)I did not hear Mr. Reily's performance, but I would imagine his rendition of the Star Spangled Banner was much better than Roseanne's. <g>
Posted by comment on August 19, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)Your right! Wouldn't take much to beat that crotch grabbing what ever she is!
Posted by njones60 on August 20, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)It appears we are all in agreement - the National Anthem should be sung.... and not by Roseanne!! :)
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them.
Rules: We don't allow comments that degrade others on the basis of gender, race, class, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability. Epithets, abusive language and obscene comments will not be tolerated... nor will defamation. Brief quotes are okay as long as the source is given. Blatent cutting and pasting is not acceptable.Robust, even heated debate we like. Straying off-topic or flaming, we don't. Please read our user agreement.
Requires free stjoenews.net registration.