Milli Cookson, Marilyn Weaver, Me, and Deen Underwood on Allen Street.
photo courtesy Rod Linkous
Your's Truly spent the Labor Day week end in the town too tough to die; Tombstone, Arizona. It was the 27th annual "Rendezvous of Gunfighters". Hosted by the veteran gunfight re-enactment group "the Wild Bunch", and their ladies, "Hells Belles", Gunfight groups from across the nation are invited to come preform at the famous O.K. Corral. Proceeds from the gate over the week end are donated to various charities in Colchis County. For myself and the Paso del Norte Pistoleros, it's been a tradition to attend every year since 1996. The Pistoleros have preformed 10 of the past 12 years. We're looking at rounding up enough folks to possibly perform in 2009.
Over all it was a good week end. Heidi, the Buckaroo, and I arrived in town Friday afternoon. After checking in with the Traywicks to let them know we had arrived safely, we toured the streets to see what had changed over the year. The East and west coasters have tried to take over, only to be disappointed at the amount of tourist that actually pass through town. Many think that the Rendezvous, Wyatt Earp Days, and Helldorado are the norm for tourist traffic, and are disappointed when they receive only one or two people a day the rest of the year. All I can say is: " Duh!"
Friday evening was the mixer sponsored by the Wild Bunch. This year it was held at the saloon located in "Six Gun City". The proprietor has poured a new concrete slab, and added a over hang for the patrons watching the shows. great improvements and much welcomed. It was a great chance to meet old friends and catch up on the goings ons in their lives. Ben Traywick, "Mr. Tombstone" is looking good, and was in good spirits. His son, Bill, arrived later in the evening with his gorgeous bride, Jeanie.
Saturday morning we hit Allen Street to see who all was in Town. El Paso was well represented. From the County Historical Commission we had the beautiful Deen Underwood and her husband, Ham. As with the Historical Commission, and President of Concordia Heritage Association, Ms Patricia Kiddeny. Six Guns and Shady Ladies were represented by Ken Smith, Frank Baron, and two others. With the folks in town on their own, I counted at least 17 El Pasoans.
The current management of the O.K. Corral seem to be a bit greedy. Admission prices jumped through the roof. The $5.00 admission is now $10.00. Maybe I'm getting matter of fact in my old age, but in previous years, members of participating groups, and judges were admitted free, to watch the other groups performances. Not this year!!!! Took a member of the Wild Bunch to twist an arm for Heidi, Marilyn Weaver, Milli Cookson, and I to get in to watch the Wild Bunch. I was pleasantly surprised with the show. I admit that it's been maybe 8 years since I got to watch the Wild bunch in action. It was well worth the finagling.
Of course, Sunday was the Parade with the costume contest. As usual, there were some great outfits, and there were some outlandish outfits. The one thing that struck me this year was the utter lack of sportsmanship on the part of some of the contestants. Heidi had entered the parade despite the fact I was a judge. She was hunted down and yelled at because the parade was "fixed" and she was gonna win because she slept with a judge. Unfortunately, it was one of the locals, who lost a steady customer because of that incident. Anyone that knows me, knows that when it comes time for evaluation, or judgment, I don't care who you are, it you're stuff ain't right, it ain't right. For my wife and friends, if anything, I'm harder on them. Oh well, enough of that rant. Next year I think we have a solution for that problem.
The awards ceromony was cut short by a sudden down pour. I ain't talking about a 1/4 inch spit, but a driving rain. In the semi open Dragoon Saloon, the rain was blown in as far as the bar. Once we cleared a path, got Heidi and the Buckaroo out of there and back to the hotel. With alcohol mixed in, was getting ugly after the winners were announced.
For those interested, the winners from El Paso included:
Saloon Girl: Third Place to Tina Flynn
Children: Third Place to Shooter Olivias
Towns Woman: Second Place to Rudy Linkous
Cowboy: First Place to Ernie Olivias
Gunfighter: Second Place to Ken Smith
Damn good showing folks!!!
After some final "Power Shopping" Monday morning we all headed back to El Paso. A good time was had by all.
