Ritzville Western Art Show brings art, entertainment, fun

The seventh annual Ritzville Western Art Show and Historic Ritzville Days promises to showcase a wide variety of artists and mediums, complimented by an amazing lineup of western entertainment in historic downtown Ritzville on May 24-26.

The art show is held in conjunction with the 108th Ritzville High School Alumni Banquet and 11th annual Historic Ritzville Days, which were established to complement the banquet while focusing on celebrating the history of the city and its people.

This year's show will feature the finest western and wildlife artists from throughout the Pacific Northwest. More than 60 are registered for this year's show.

The impressive roster includes nationally acclaimed artists Robert Walton, Betty Billups, Ron Adamson and Gabe Gabel.

Two new events are scheduled on Saturday and Sunday. The Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce is working with local geocachers to host the Ritzville Small Town Cache Cow on Saturday, the first geocaching event in Ritzville.

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache container hidden there.

On Sunday, the Ritzville Rodeo Association will host a Western Wear Show featuring apparel and accessories from HAV Western Wear, Hickman Saddlery, 1980 Ritzville Rodeo Queen Regalia, vests by Twill & Tuck and more.

A new addition to the weekend is a rope-making demonstration with a chance for spectators to participate in the traditional trade. Rope making only takes two people, and you just might be one of them!

For the youngsters, a Youth Art Experience Center will be open throughout the show where one and all will enjoy papermaking, marbeling and more. In addition, the Ritzville Rodeo Association is hosting Stick Horse Races during the art show.

The 2013 event will continue with an expanded free entertainment schedule that includes nationally known, top-name western entertainers.

A full range of entertainment is on tap for the 2013 event as traditional cowboy and western music, humorous renditions and a touch of the Old West mingle with artists in businesses and on the streets of downtown Ritzville.

Headlining the weekend is Mary Kaye Knaphus, award winning western entertainer who hails from Utah, performing on Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26. She is a multiple award-winning singer and songwriter and was recently recognized by True West Magazine as "Best Solo Musician" of the year as well as being selected to receive a Spur Award for Best Western Song from the Western Writers of America.

Returning to the main stage are Nevada Slim and Cimarron Sue, "Minstrels of the Old West," who please audiences with songs and stories of the American West. The weekend includes strolling performances of their interpretation of traditional western music and the music of early country legends.

Sourdough Slim will make his way to downtown Ritzville once again, bringing with him an award-winning performance from the minute he steps on stage. The Last of the Vaudeville Cowboys, ten gallon funny-man Sourdough Slim, transports us to a whimsical world where vaudevillian camp and cowboy lore intermingle to produce grins galore.

Making her first appearance on the main stage is Barbara Nelson, who with her husband lives in Pendleton, Ore. She brings her rich, big band style of singing to the Ritzville event.

And a western event just isn't complete without pony rides! Iron Legacy Ranch LLC of Ritzville will return to Main Avenue with their gentle equine friends ready for the younger crowd to get acquainted with.

Don't miss your chance to chat with Wyatt Earp and "Doc" Holiday while at the show. Members of the Ritzville Community Theatre troupe will serve as ambassadors during the show, portraying a specific character from the 'wild west,' including Virgil Earp, Big Nose Kate, Kitty Leroy and Calamity Jane. The event includes numerous vignettes by the renowned characters, including gunfights.

This year's roster of regional and local artists includes show veterans Robert Walton, Betty Billups, Jim Bauer, Sheila Bledsoe, Debbie Hughbanks, Ron Adamson and more. Joining the show this year are Michelle Guinard, Lisa Middleton, Steven and Karen Boyd, Paul Crabtree, Cary Thomas and others for an event sure to please every art aficionado - from fine oil paintings and watercolors to live demonstrations of pyrography and lathe work!

A website dedicated to the art show includes extensive biographies of each participating artist, author, artisan and entertainer. Find galleries of photos from previous shows, directions and more at http://www.ritzvillewesternart.com. More information is available by contacting the RDDA at info@ritzvilledowntown.com or the art show committee at info@ritzvillewesternart.com.