Visitors and locals will have the opportunity to enjoy art, music, film and fun during the trials, which will run Sept. 7-11. This guarantees family fun for all.
Thursday, Sept. 8 features a local and visitor favorite, the Art Reception and Lamb Cook-off at the Wilber Barn from 5 to 6:30 p.m. New to the evening will be a solo concert by country recording artist Michael Martin Murphey. Trial visitors will have a personal, unique opportunity to listen to American Cowboy Music, courtesy of Murphey, the all-time top selling artist of the genre.
As always, admission to Art Reception and Cook-off is free. Following the activities at the Wilber Barn, folks will be directed towards the main vending area where the concert will be held. A small admission fee will be charged for those attending the Murphey concert, and vendors will remain open for the evening, Tickets can be purchased at the Main Gate.
On Friday at 8 p.m. in the 4-H Building at the Rio Blanco County Fairgounds there will be a free screening of the award winning film “UNBranded.” “UNBranded” is a documentary that follows four friends (recent graduates of Texas A&M) on their 3,000-mile trip from the Mexican border north to Canada using recently broke mustangs, facing the challenges of weather, terrain, human nature and the mustangs.
The four embrace this journey across the American West. The trip became an epic journey of self-discovery, tested friendships and iconic landscapes that included runaway horses, a sassy donkey, perilous mountain passes, rodeos, sickness, injury and death.
The Audience Award winner at Telluride Mountainfilm and Hot Docs Film Festival, “UNbranded” is a soaring tale of danger and resilience, an emotionally charged odyssey that shines a bright light on the complex plight of our country’s wild horses. Admission to the film is free.
Beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, events are all scheduled at the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds this year. Visitors to Meeker and locals will join two acclaimed entertainers/cowboys/friends as they bring you songs and stories of the American West. Longtime friends, Gary McMahan of Bellevue, Colo., andDave Munsick of Sheridan, Wyo., share their stories about the land, lore and lives of the West, leaving the audience to feel that they’ve experienced life through their eyes.
Gary wrote the famous song, “Double Diamond” and practices his heart’s desire: to write, perform and record the stories, poems, songs and humor of his Western heritage. He has made his living doing everything from cowboying to guiding to performing. Gary’s songs have been recorded by stars like Ian Tyson, Chris LeDoux, and Riders in the Sky and he has recorded six critically acclaimed albums himself. He has received the most prestigious award in Western music: A National Cowboy Hall of Fame Wrangler Award. Gary’s poems have also been published by the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nev.
Munsick writes and sings stories from Wyoming’s Big Horn Mountains. He has written scores of songs, produced six CDs of original music and written and recorded themes for historical documentaries as well as compositions for government, commercial and private sectors. In addition to writing and recording, he performs with several bands and has opened for or performed on fiddle, piano, and guitar for artists including Chris LeDoux, Gary McMahan, Ian Tyson, Lyle Lovett and Suzie Bogguss.
The Meeker Lions Club will host its barbecue and a beer garden from 5-7 p.m. at the fairgrounds that day. Following the barbecue, spectators and handlers will move to the arena to watch the Handler’s Challenge Arena Trial. It’s a time for spectators to watch handlers gather together, kick back and have some fun.
Ray Crabtree will provide a witty commentary on the evening runs.
Meeker Classic organizers scheduled all events in one location this year in hopes of providing an opportunity for more folks to enjoy everything.
The Meeker Classic encourages everyone to take advantage of these opportunities right in our backyard. Three nights of entertainment and fun in addition to all the events and activities associated with the sheepdog trials.
For more information, call 970-878-0111 or visit [email protected]
