Well, it’s not quite official yet, but baby steps are being taken, pending funding, for the Second Annual True Grit Days Festival in Ridgway, Colorado. Emphasis at this point is truly on the “pending funding” portion of the festivities.
A major difference for this year’s celebration is that the funding will be processed through an LLC as opposed to the Ridgway Chamber of Commerce. Many of the volunteer faces will be the same, but a plethera of knowledge with regards to what works and what doesn’t was gained from last year’s festival.
The theme is the thing though and the theme is “True Grit,” which was in fact filmed in and around Ridgway. There’s no mistaking The Cimarron Mountains, which can be seen as a backdrop throughout the movie.
One of my most memorable experiences of living here in our fair town was the viewing of the movie in the very park where scenes were filmed. It has been reported that up to 3500 people strolled through that park during all that weekends’ activities. There were celebrities, namely Angie Dickinson, Johnny Crawford and Kim Darby signing autographs. Bob Boze Bell, a contributing writer to “True West” magazine and noted authority on how the true west was run spoke before the picture show and a grand time was had by all.
I’m excited about this festival combined with a few others that Ridgway added to the yearly festival venue. It’s great for our town to have well run, interesting draws such as these.
I’d love to see the town put together a comprehensive marketing program for leveraging not only these kinds of events but also the incredible local beauty and lifestyle.
I wasn’t able to make it to the True Grit festival last year but will make it a priority this year!
It is great to see that GIANT strides are being made to do just as you have stated. So, much has been done just in the 5 years that we have been here to raise the pride and beautification of our area while keeping with it’s rough and rugged history, i.e. Ridgway River Park subdivistion with architectural guidelines that are bent towards a “mining” look. On the whole, most of the folks that have purchased property here are realizing that they have invested well and are wanting to make sure that their investments are enhanced by any development/draws to the region. And yes, you must attend this year. I’m sure it will be the talk of the town same as last year.
I am very interested in info on true grit days for 2008. I make free hand etched pottery and have have won art awards here in the four corners area. I am especially interested in having a booth setup, if you are going to have vendors.
Thank You,
Veronica R. Wright
Silent Song Studios
Cahone, Co
what are the dates for the true grit festival 2008 in Ridgeway??????
The following is a press release regarding True Grit Days 2008:
“The Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce regrets that the Second Annual True Grit Days, Ridgway’s Celebration of the West, has been canceled.
The Chamber is disappointed that we cannot further promote the Town of Ridgway through this event. Organizers had hoped to build on the success of last year’s event, which drew an estimated 3,500 people to Ridgway.
Funds sufficient to hold the event have not been obtained thus far. The Chamber would like to thank those who did provide financial support for this year’s event. Plans for the 2009 True Grit Days are pending.”
I hate it, but it is what it is.
I am sure if you had a list of interested folks, they
could put together a True Grits Annual Event. I am
a International Poet and would assist.